Journalist

Ryu Yuna, Lee Jung-woo, Kim Hee-su, and Joonha Yoo
  • KOSPI breaks 4,000 for first time in 45 yrs, Nikkei also at historic high
    KOSPI breaks 4,000 for first time in 45 yrs, Nikkei also at historic high SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Korean and Japanese stock markets celebrated historic milestones Monday, with both the KOSPI and Nikkei breaking past symbolic thresholds for the first time in their histories. The KOSPI jumped 2.3 percent to 4,032.49 around midday, topping the 4,000 mark for the first time in its 45-year history. Bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the charge, each hitting record levels — 100,000 won ($70) and 500,000 won, respectively. Advancers outnumbered decliners 595 to 282, with institutional investors net buying nearly 600 billion won, while retail investors offloaded about 485 billion won to take profits from recent rallies. The surge drew international attention after The Wall Street Journal cited Korea as one of this year’s best-performing markets, with the KOSPI’s 64-percent rise far outpacing other major indices — the MSCI All Country World ex-USA Index gained about 26 percent, the S&P 500 15 percent, Germany’s DAX 22 percent, Japan’s Nikkei 225 24 percent, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 18 percent. Petrochemical and battery shares extended their red-hot run, with Isu Chemical hitting the daily upper limit with a 30-percent surge, and EcoPro soaring 12 percent by midday. The KOSDAQ also advanced 1.8 percent to 899.05, nearing the 900 mark for only the second time since its first-ever breach 19 months ago. “Foreign investors are returning to the Korean market in full force, drawn by attractive valuations and strong earnings momentum,” said Lee Jae-hyun, analyst at Mirae Asset Securities. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 surged 2.1 percent to 50,230.45, marking the first time Japan’s premier stock index has crossed the 50,000 threshold. The rally followed a U.S.-China trade framework deal reached over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur and growing expectations of another U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut at the upcoming policy meeting. Sentiment was further boosted by anticipation of bilateral talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week in Seoul. Elsewhere in Asia, China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.5 percent to 3,890, Taiwan’s TAIEX rose 0.7 percent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.9 percent. 2025-10-27 11:55:35
  • East Asian markets upbeat before Trumps arrival next week
    East Asian markets upbeat before Trump's arrival next week SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - Asian markets ended mostly higher Friday on optimism surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming Asian tour, which includes back-to-back summits with leaders of South Korea, China, and Japan. In Seoul, the KOSPI climbed 2.0 percent to close at 3,921.52, reclaiming the 3,900 threshold as chip bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix extended gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 1.3 percent to 49,282.19, supported by expectations of renewed fiscal stimulus from Tokyo. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.7 percent to 25,967.98, buoyed by strength in property and industrial shares. China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.2 percent to 3,922.41, as investors looked past lingering concerns about U.S. export curbs on advanced chip technology. Elsewhere in Asia, sentiment was more mixed. In India, both benchmarks eased — the BSE Sensex slipped 0.3 percent to 84,301, and the NSE Nifty 50 fell 0.3 percent to 25,817 — weighed down by weakness in banking and FMCG stocks such as Hindustan Unilever and Kotak Bank. Traders cited anxiety over a possible new U.S. trade probe into China and rising crude prices that could stoke inflation. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite Index gained 0.5 percent to 8,312.57, driven by foreign buying in mining and consumer shares. Malaysia’s KLCI inched up 0.2 percent to 1,611.53, reversing early losses as bargain hunters supported industrial and utility counters. Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.5 percent to 4,416.27. Taiwan’s TAIEX eased 0.4 percent to 24,388.21 on mild profit-taking in chipmakers, while Vietnam’s VN-Index continued its ascent, adding 0.8 percent to 969.2, led by property developers. 2025-10-24 16:54:22
  • HOT STOCK: Koreas battery stocks going up, up, up — but analysts warn against chasing golden moment
    HOT STOCK: Korea's battery stocks going up, up, up — but analysts warn against chasing golden moment SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - South Korea’s secondary battery shares are leading Seoul’s tech-driven rally, fueled by stronger electric vehicle (EV) sales and booming demand for energy storage systems (ESS). As of 3:15 p.m. Friday, Ecopro jumped 5.6 percent to 85,100 won ($59), extending its surge amid renewed optimism in the battery sector. LG Energy Solution rose 4.8 percent to 465,500 won, supported by sustained institutional buying across major battery makers. Isu Chemical soared by the KOSDAQ’s daily limit of 30 percent to 12,690 won, emerging as one of the index’s top performers on heavy speculative trading. The rally is powered by multiple tailwinds. Global EV sales hit a record 2.1 million units last month — up 26 percent year-on-year — beating market expectations and restoring confidence. Meanwhile, ESS demand tied to AI infrastructure has become a major growth driver. Analysts estimate U.S. installations could reach 120 GWh, growing 25 percent annually, as AI data centers require massive batteries to stabilize power use — with ESS margins often higher than those of EV batteries. Adding to the hype, China’s Chery unveiled a 600 Wh/kg solid-state battery prototype on Oct. 18 — nearly double the current lithium-ion density — targeting commercialization by 2027. That lifted sentiment toward Korean suppliers in the solid-state supply chain. Short covering has further amplified gains, with L&F’s short interest reaching 25 percent of float, triggering forced buying. But beneath the euphoria, structural weaknesses persist. Korean battery makers’ utilization rates remain at 40–50 percent, far below the 90 percent achieved by China’s CATL and BYD. Their heavy bet on high-end NCM batteries backfired as Chinese rivals dominated the mass market with cheaper LFP technology. As a result, Korea’s global market share slipped to 16.4 percent in the first half of 2025, down 5.4 points year-on-year, while Chinese firms seized 49.7 percent in Europe — overtaking Korea for the first time. The slowdown has shown in earnings. LG Energy Solution’s operating profit plunged 73.4 percent in 2024, ending with a $430 million Q4 net loss. Samsung SDI posted its first quarterly deficit in seven years, prompting a 2 trillion-won rights issue, while SK On initiated workforce restructuring. The elimination of U.S. EV tax credits adds another headwind, echoing Europe’s experience — where EV sales fell 27.4 percent in Germany and 15.9 percent in Sweden after subsidy cuts. Analysts now warn against chasing the golden moment. Shinhan Investment Securities described the surge as “rotation-driven rather than earnings-led.” Yuanta Securities’ Han Byung-hwa — famed for predicting the 2019 biotech crash — cautioned that battery-material valuations are “a bubble with no other way to describe it,” with price-to-sales ratios averaging 9.9× versus 1.1× for cell makers. The three Ecopro affiliates now account for 16 percent of total KOSDAQ market capitalization, up from 4 percent at the start of the year. LS Securities’ Jung Kyung-hee noted that “while investor interest in battery stocks is surging alongside the KOSPI rally, demand growth is slowing.” She added that Korean firms remain overvalued relative to global peers, with EV recovery still fragile and China-centric — leaving much of the upside likely to flow to Chinese suppliers expanding aggressively in Europe. 2025-10-24 16:53:47
  • Asian shares lose ground on tech selling
    Asian shares lose ground on tech selling SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - Asian stock markets ended lower Thursday as investors reacted to disappointing technology earnings and persistent geopolitical uncertainties, while Vietnamese equities stood out with gains on expectations of stronger domestic demand. South Korea’s main KOSPI and secondary KOSDAQ retreated after a record-setting rally. The KOSPI fell 1.2 percent to 3,835.79, and the tech-heavy KOSDAQ lost 0.9 percent to 870.90 as institutional investors took profits. Chip bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix slipped 1.8 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively. China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.3 percent to 3,904.16 amid renewed trade concerns and fears of tighter U.S. export controls on software and chip technology. Leading tech shares such as Zhongji Innolight and Suzhou TFC fell between 3 and 7 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 0.3 percent to 25,695, weighed by semiconductor names including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., which sank 3.8 percent as U.S.–China tensions and regulatory scrutiny dampened sentiment. Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.9 percent to 48,866.58, extending losses after a brief rally earlier this week on expectations of fiscal stimulus. The pullback reflected broader risk-off sentiment toward global technology shares. Taiwan’s TAIEX gained 0.6 percent to 24,482.52, supported by renewed investor interest in select tech firms, though semiconductor names such as United Microelectronics posted modest losses. Vietnam’s VN-Index was the region’s bright spot, climbing 1.2 percent to 961.3, led by real estate and consumer discretionary stocks. Vingroup (VIC) advanced 3.9 percent, anchoring the rally. 2025-10-23 17:29:46
  • HOT STOCK: Hanwha Ocean surges on LNG boom, defense tech spotlight
    HOT STOCK: Hanwha Ocean surges on LNG boom, defense tech spotlight SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - Shares of Hanwha Ocean are sailing full speed ahead, buoyed by a swelling orderbook for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and upbeat earnings expectations. The stock traded 3.7 percent higher at 137,100 won ($95) as of 10:15 a.m. Thursday in Seoul, after soaring nearly 10 percent the previous day. Hanwha Ocean has gained more than 20 percent so far this month, reflecting investor optimism over robust third-quarter results and sustained global demand for LNG carriers. The rally accelerated following the company’s strong showing at Seoul ADEX 2025, where it unveiled AI-driven naval technologies, and amid reports that South Korea’s trade envoy urged China to lift sanctions affecting Hanwha Ocean’s U.S. affiliates. Investor sentiment was further boosted by the government-backed K-Shipbuilding Tech Alliance and expectations of strong quarterly earnings fueled by a steady stream of LNG and special-purpose vessel orders. The convergence of defense export hopes, policy support, and easing geopolitical pressure has propelled Hanwha Ocean to its highest level in over a year, outpacing most large-cap stocks on the Kospi. The company’s shares have more than tripled from their annual opening of 37,800 won after taking the banner “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again”—the flagship slogan of South Korea’s U.S. investment drive announced during President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to Washington in August. Hanwha Ocean is set to release its third-quarter earnings on Monday, with analysts projecting an operating profit nearly three times higher than a year earlier. The frenzy over shipbuilding shares underscores a growing bet on a new seaborne boom. “Shipbuilding is a cyclical business, typically following 20- to 30-year patterns,” said Lee Eun-chang, senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. “The last peak came in 2011. Under ordinary circumstances, the next boom might not arrive until around 2040, but shifts in global energy policy and geopolitics are reshaping the timeline.” While Korean shipbuilders may not fully regain their dominance over China, Washington’s moves to curb Chinese shipbuilding practices could open fresh opportunities for Korean yards, Lee added. Eom Kyung-ah, a shipbuilding and shipping industry analyst at Shinyoung Securities, pointed to the growing anticipation ahead of the APEC Summit, noting that U.S.–Korea cooperation in shipbuilding is emerging as a key agenda item—with Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries positioned as central players. 2025-10-23 11:30:07
  • Asian shares in positive, Seoul and Tokyo lead gains on tech and battery upside
    Asian shares in positive, Seoul and Tokyo lead gains on tech and battery upside SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Major Asian stock markets remained broadly positive Wednesday, with Seoul and Tokyo taking the lead, although at moderated pace from recent rallies. In Seoul, the KOSPI advanced 0.7 percent to 3,815, while the KOSDAQ gained 0.9 percent to 1,146 as of midday. Bellwether Samsung Electronics extended gains, whereas SK hynix slipped on profit-taking after briefly touching the 500,000-won threshold. Petrochemical and battery material stocks led the winners on expectations of stronger quarterly earnings — Isu Chemical hit the daily ceiling of 30 percent, and EcoPro surged 12 percent. Tokyo’s market extended gains on expectations of pro-growth economic policies under incoming Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The Nikkei 225 jumped 2.46 percent to 42,849.67, driven by technology and export-oriented firms poised to benefit from continued monetary easing and fiscal expansion. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index inched up to 3,870.75 amid easing U.S.–China trade tensions and renewed government stimulus. The Shenzhen Component Index also opened higher, extending its 2-percent gain from the previous day. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced on optimism over high-level trade talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping slated for later this month. Elsewhere, Taiwan’s TAIEX added 0.5 percent on tech strength, Vietnam’s VN Index rose 0.58 percent to 1,606 led by financials, while Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite edged down 0.2 percent on profit-taking after recent rallies. 2025-10-22 13:11:55
  • Red-hot streak of Korean chip stocks spills over to downstream suppliers
    Red-hot streak of Korean chip stocks spills over to downstream suppliers SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - South Korea’s semiconductor rally shows no sign of slowing, as record gains by memory giants ripple through the broader chip value chain, drawing in downstream suppliers and equipment makers amid growing concerns over a looming memory shortage in the AI era. Memory bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both came close to symbolic six-digit milestones—100,000 won and 500,000 won, respectively. Samsung Electronics closed Tuesday 0.4 percent lower at 97,700 won ($68) after touching 99,800 won, while SK hynix fell 0.9 percent to 481,000 won after reaching an intraday high of 502,000 won. Their bull run lifted suppliers across the Kosdaq and main exchange KRX. Wonik Holdings, which makes chipmaking equipment and materials, slipped 2.7 percent to 25,250 won on profit-taking after soaring 77 percent this month and more than tenfold from its December low of 2,135 won. Hanmi Semiconductor, a key backend equipment producer, gained 55 percent this month on strong demand for its advanced tools used in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production. Eugene Tech, which supplies to all three DRAM majors—Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron—ended Tuesday at a record 89,600 won after an intraday high of 92,000 won, tripling from a 52-week low of 30,300 won. Analysts widely agree that the sector is entering a new chip super cycle, fueled by surging AI-related demand, constrained supply, and state-led investment in advanced industries. A recent government task force unveiled a 5.7 trillion won national growth fund to support AI and deep-tech startups and strengthen semiconductor and robotics ecosystems. “Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global economy, and South Korea’s semiconductor industry will remain at the center of this transformation,” said Kang Sung-jin, professor of economics at Korea University. “The rise of AI in the Fourth Industrial Revolution has made semiconductors indispensable, sustaining bullish momentum in equities. Ongoing U.S.–China tensions also enhance Korean firms’ competitiveness in the U.S. market.” Lee Jong-hwan, professor of system semiconductor engineering at Sangmyung University, noted that both memory and non-memory chips are increasingly vital as AI applications diversify. “AI chips are driving explosive demand across the board,” he said. “Non-memory semiconductors—made by foundries like TSMC and Samsung—are just as crucial for AI systems.” Lee added that the real profits in the AI age come from the hardware, not software. “The firms actually making money are the semiconductor manufacturers enabling AI functionality,” he said. “Today’s strong stock performances by SK hynix and Samsung reflect exactly that.” Calling earlier “AI bubble” fears misplaced, Lee predicted the current uptrend would persist as AI adoption accelerates. He urged continued investment in fabs, workforce, and overseas capacity. “Samsung and SK hynix should sustain aggressive semiconductor investment—both domestically in the Yongin cluster and abroad to navigate U.S. trade and tariff risks. Equipment and materials players will rise in tandem.” 2025-10-21 17:55:46
  • Asian markets rally, KOSPI the worlds best performer led by chip boom
    Asian markets rally, KOSPI the world's best performer led by chip boom SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher on Tuesday amid easing global trade tensions and improved investor sentiment, while South Korea’s benchmark index stood out as the world’s best performer of the month. In Seoul, the KOSPI closed at a fresh record of 3,814.69, up 1.76 percent from the previous session. The secondary KOSDAQ gained 1.89 percent to close at 875.77. Institutional investors drove the rally with strong buying despite continued foreign selling pressure. Technology stocks led the gains, with SK hynix jumping 4.2 percent to a new high of 485,500 won and Samsung Electronics edging up 0.2 percent to 98,100 won. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 3.12 percent to 49,186, supported by optimism over political stability and anticipated fiscal stimulus. Tech and AI-related shares, including SoftBank, Advantest, and Tokyo Electron, were among the top gainers. In Taipei, the TAIEX rose 386.26 points, or 1.41 percent, to close at 27,688.63, lifted by semiconductor stocks such as TSMC, which gained 2.07 percent. Vietnam’s VN-Index also advanced, supported by foreign inflows and resilient domestic investor sentiment despite recent volatility. The index closed near 1,700 points, buoyed by expectations of a market reclassification that could draw greater foreign investment. The rally across Asian markets underscores a cautiously optimistic tone, driven by easing geopolitical tensions and sustained momentum in the region’s semiconductor and technology sectors. 2025-10-21 17:53:37
  • Asian markets rise on hopes of pro-stimulus government in Japan
    Asian markets rise on hopes of pro-stimulus government in Japan SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Asian equities advanced on Monday, lifted by optimism that Japan may soon usher in a pro-stimulus government — a prospect that helped counterbalance mixed economic signals from China and cautious sentiment across the region. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI index gained 1.3 percent, supported by renewed optimism over a tariff deal with Washington and resilient semiconductor exports. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ also edged higher, though gains were more muted, as investors selectively bought shares of exporters and technology firms. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.7 percent after the government reported third-quarter growth of 4.8 percent year-over-year, slightly above expectations. Industrial production also exceeded forecasts, rising 6.5 percent. Yet, persistent weakness in the property sector and sluggish consumer confidence tempered the market’s advance. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 2.5 percent, buoyed by improved risk appetite amid easing U.S.–China trade tensions and optimism over Japan’s political outlook. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 3 percent to a new high after reports that the ruling coalition had secured enough support to pave the way for Sanae Takaichi to become prime minister. Investors interpreted the development as a sign that Tokyo would maintain — or even expand — its fiscal and monetary stimulus measures, reinforcing confidence across regional markets. 2025-10-20 17:46:00
  • Koreas job growth in September hits 19-Month high, manufacturing still tepid
    Korea's job growth in September hits 19-Month high, manufacturing still tepid SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - South Korea saw the largest job addition in 19 months in September, driven mainly by service-sector hiring under government stimulus measures, while manufacturing and youth employment remained sluggish, data showed Friday. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the number of employed people aged 15 and over reached 29.15 million in September, an increase of 312,000 from a year earlier. It was the largest on-year gain since February 2023, when employment rose by 329,000. The headline employment data has stayed positive throughout the year, but gains were uneven across sectors and age groups. Employment among young people aged 15 to 29 fell by 146,000, marking the steepest decline among all age groups. Workers in their 50s also continued to lose jobs for the ninth consecutive month. In contrast, those aged 60 and older added 380,700 positions, more than offsetting the declines in younger cohorts. By industry, the largest job gains were seen in health and social welfare services, which added 304,000 positions (a 10.1 percent increase), followed by arts, sports and recreational services with 75,000 (up 14.5 percent) and education services with 56,000 (up 2.9 percent). The nation’s traditional backbone sectors continued to shed workers. Construction lost 84,000 jobs (down 4.1 percent), and manufacturing contracted by 61,000 (down 1.4 percent). The agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector also saw a sharp fall, losing 146,000 jobs (down 9.1 percent). Among self-employed workers, those with employees increased by 30,000, partly reflecting government support programs such as livelihood recovery subsidies. In contrast, self-employed without employees declined by 80,000, and family workers decreased by 20,000. The number of unemployed persons stood at 635,000, up 12,000 from a year earlier, led largely by workers in their 30s to 50s. Meanwhile, the population classified as “inactive,” who have given up job hunting, increased by 42,000 (up 1.7 percent) to 2.52 million. On a brighter note, the number of inactive people aged 15 to 29 and those in their 30s fell by 34,000 and 12,000, respectively. 2025-10-17 15:36:19