Journalist

Kim Yeon-jae
  • Foreign investors turn heavy buyers of Korean stocks and bonds in September
    Foreign investors turn heavy buyers of Korean stocks and bonds in September SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Foreign investors became net buyers of more than US$9 billion worth of Korean stocks and bonds in September, marking a sharp turnaround from a $600 million net outflow in August and signaling a recovery in confidence toward the Korean capital market, the central bank said Wednesday. According to data from the Bank of Korea, net foreign inflows into Korean securities reached $9.12 billion last month — $4.34 billion in equities and $4.48 billion in bonds. Foreign investment in local stocks extended its fifth consecutive month of net inflows, with September's figure the largest since February 2024. The turnaround was even more pronounced in the debt market, where foreign investors injected nearly $5 billion, contrasting with an outflow of $770 million in August. The credit default swap (CDS) premium, a key gauge of sovereign credit risk, narrowed by 1 basis point from August, reflecting improved sentiment toward Korea’s credit standing. Borrowing conditions remained generally stable. The short-term foreign borrowing spread edged up 1 basis point from August, while the medium- to long-term spread climbed 9 basis points. The addition rate on foreign currencies, an indicator of funding costs for raising foreign-denominated capital, also remained steady. 2025-10-15 16:55:42
  • KOSPI loses early gains as Asian stocks retreat on trade war flare-up
    KOSPI loses early gains as Asian stocks retreat on trade war flare-up SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - South Korea’s record-setting morning session turned into broad selling by the close, as investors across Asia recoiled from a new chapter in the U.S.–China trade conflict. The benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.63 percent to 3,561.81, after hitting an intraday record high of 3,637.45 earlier in the day. The Kosdaq also dropped 1.46 percent to 847.96. Samsung Electronics, which spearheaded the morning rally on record-breaking third-quarter results, fell 1.39 percent to 92,000 won as investors locked in profits. SK Hynix declined 0.72 percent to 412,000 won. Foreign investors turned cautious after China imposed sanctions on U.S. subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean in response to Washington’s new shipping curbs. In Taiwan, the TAIEX, which had tracked the early chip rally, closed 0.48 percent lower at 26,793.15. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was the biggest regional loser, tumbling 2.58 percent to 46,847.32 amid political upheaval. The collapse of the 26-year coalition between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its partner Komeito clouded the outlook for Sanae Takaichi’s rise as Japan’s first female prime minister. 2025-10-14 17:53:04
  • From traditional to street, the K-food lineup rich for APEC summit
    From traditional to street, the K-food lineup rich for APEC summit SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - It remains unclear whether the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, will stage a face-to-face meeting between the U.S. and Chinese leaders later this month, but organizers have ensured a rich and diverse lineup of Korean food and cuisine. Food industry leaders Nongshim, CJ Cheiljedang, and Kyochon F&B have joined household names like Samsung Electronics as official corporate sponsors of the event. They are joined by younger franchises such as Okdongsik and Young Dabang, showcasing a blend of traditional, fusion, and street-food experiences to global attendees. Nongshim, which commands nearly 50 percent of South Korea's ramyun market, will provide 10,000 packets of “Shin Ramyun” featuring characters from Netflix's hit animated series “K-pop Demon Hunters.” The noodle maker, which saw a major brand boost from the film’s global success, will also operate a booth where APEC visitors can enjoy instant noodles just like the characters in the animation. CJ Cheiljedang is set to feature a range of Korean staples including cupbap (rice cup), gim (seaweed) snacks, and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). The company’s global frozen-food brand “Bibigo,” already an official partner of the Los Angeles Lakers since 2021, will also be highlighted as part of the K-food showcase. Restaurant chains are taking varied approaches to promote their products. Kyochon F&B, best known for its fried-chicken franchise “Kyochon Chicken,” will operate food trucks at the venue to reinforce Korea’s reputation as the world’s fried-chicken capital. Newer brands such as Okdongsik, Young Dabang, and Buchang Bakery have been invited to offer a more diverse taste of Korean dining — spanning from traditional comfort dishes to trendy street food. Okdongsik, famed for its signature dwaeji gomtang (pork soup), was named one of New York City’s top 100 restaurants by The New York Times. Young Dabang, a snack-bar franchise serving modern variations of tteokbokki and pork cutlet, is also expanding abroad, with branches in the United States, Japan, and several Southeast Asian countries. Edward Lee, a Korean American chef known for his appearances on Netflix’s cooking competition “Culinary Class Wars,” will collaborate with chefs from Lotte Hotel to prepare the leaders’ welcome dinner on October 31. Food featured in Korean cultural exports like “K-pop Demon Hunters” and “Squid Game” continues to fuel the global appetite for Korean culture. Yet experts caution that sustaining the K-food boom will require a long-term strategy. “The continued growth of authentic Korean cuisine abroad will depend on effective localization, customization, and R&D,” said Seulki Lee, professor of Hotel and Tourism Management at Sejong University. “A fine balance between authenticity and versatility must be achieved to ensure Korean food retains its global appeal.” 2025-10-14 17:01:17
  • Shares of South Korean power equipment suppliers surge despite US tariff uncertainty
    Shares of South Korean power equipment suppliers surge despite US tariff uncertainty SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - South Korea's leading power equipment suppliers saw their share prices surge sharply despite stalled tariff-related negotiations with the U.S. Shares of HD Hyundai Electric rose 5.12 percent to close at 657,000 Korean won, as KOSPI trading resumed on Friday after a weeklong break for the country's biggest Chuseok holiday. Its market competitors also saw strong gains, with shares of Hyosung Heavy Industries jumping 5.52 percent and those of LS Electric climbing 4.14 percent. Iljin Electric, the last of the "big four" in the country's power equipment market, also saw the steepest gain at 6.11 percent. Brokerage firm LS Securities forecast that HD Hyundai Electric is expected to post 1.03 trillion won (approximately US$848 million) in revenue and 230.6 billion won in operating profit (around $162 million) for the third quarter of this year. Buoyed by the optimistic market outlook, the firm also raised its forecast for Hyundai Electric, expecting its shares could climb up to 20 percent from 640,000 won (US$450) to 800,000 won (US$563). Friday's rally in stocks of these power equipment suppliers, buoyed by market optimism, began after Washington signaled its intent to replace its aging U.S. power grid. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), about two-thirds of power transformers currently in use there require replacement. The average age of these transformers is 38 years, and nearly seven in ten are reportedly more than 25 years old. The DOE aims to replace outdated transformers with units capable of handling voltages above 345 kV, known as extra-high-voltage (EHV) systems. Washington apparently sees the replacement as crucial for artificial intelligence-related facilities, which demand massive amounts of electricity. The move is expected to benefit South Korean suppliers, recognized for their proven reliability and competitive prices. According to a report by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), South Korea was the top exporter to the U.S. market for small transformers with 650 kVA or below in 2024, accounting for 31.2 percent. 2025-10-10 17:37:48