Journalist

Yoo Joonha
  • Na Hong-jins Hope enters Cannes Competition after 4-year silence for Korea
    Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' enters Cannes Competition after 4-year silence for Korea SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Na Hong-jin breaks a four-year silence for South Korean titles at Cannes with Hope, a big-budget thriller that puts him back in the Palme d’Or race. The South Korean director’s fourth feature was named to the 21-film Competition lineup unveiled Thursday (local time), marking the first time since Decision to Leave in 2022 that a Korean film has entered the festival’s top-tier section. The return carries weight beyond selection. Hope is Na’s most ambitious project to date — both in scale and in reach — positioning him not just as a returning auteur but as a director making a calculated leap into the global mainstream. Set in a fictional port village near the Demilitarized Zone, the film unfolds as a science-fiction thriller centered on a mysterious presence that plunges the community into crisis. It is also his first project partially shot in English, with a hybrid cast that bridges Korean and Hollywood talent. The lineup pairs Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon with Oscar-winning couple Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, alongside Taylor Russell and Cameron Britton. The scale reflects that ambition. With a production budget exceeding 50 billion won ($37 million), Hope ranks among the most expensive Korean films ever made and marks the first Cannes Competition entry for its distributor, Plus M Entertainment. The selection extends Na’s long-standing relationship with Cannes. His debut The Chaser screened in the Midnight section in 2008, followed by The Yellow Sea in Un Certain Regard and The Wailing in the Out of Competition section in 2016 — the latter cementing his reputation for blending genre with unsettling atmosphere. This year’s Competition lineup features a heavyweight field of international auteurs, including Pedro Almodóvar, Asghar Farhadi, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Ryusuke Hamaguchi, setting up a tightly contested Palme d’Or race. The 79th Cannes Film Festival will run from May 12 to 23 in Cannes, France. 2026-04-10 11:35:20
  • FSS puts brake on Hanwha Solutions rights offering despite owner backing
    FSS puts brake on Hanwha Solutions' rights offering despite owner backing SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - The rights offering plan by Hanwha Solutions to raise 2.4 trillion won to lessen its debt load drew a correction order from authorities despite the owner family offering to share the burden. The Financial Supervisory Service said it had requested the company to submit a revised securities filing, citing incomplete formal requirements and insufficient or unclear disclosure of key information that could hinder investors' decision-making. The filing has not been accepted and its effectiveness has been suspended, meaning the subscription schedule and overall issuance process could change. If the company fails to submit a corrected filing within three months, the plan will be considered withdrawn. Hanwha Solutions said it would "take the request seriously" and prepare a revised filing that reflects feedback from shareholders and the market, emphasizing that it would prioritize shareholder value. Shares rose nearly 1 percent as investors approved of the regulatory move. The company on March 26 announced the plan to issue 72 million new shares to raise 2.4 trillion won, and more than half - 1.5 trillion won – was earmarked for debt repayment and the remainder for investment. The scale of the issuance - equivalent to roughly 42 percent of existing shares - and the heavy allocation toward debt reduction have triggered strong backlash from investors, who argue that the plan shifts the burden of financial restructuring onto shareholders. Shares of Hanwha Solutions fell more than 20 percent over two sessions following the announcement. The controversy has since widened into governance concerns, including whether the move could constitute a breach of directors' fiduciary duties under the revised Commercial Act. The Korea Corporate Governance Forum criticized the timing of the board decision, noting it came shortly after a shareholders' meeting, raising questions over whether independent directors had sufficient time for proper review. Retail investors have also begun mobilizing. On the Act platform, minority shareholders have requested access to the shareholder registry and are seeking to build a coalition aimed at securing a 10 percent stake, which would enable them to call an extraordinary general meeting or pursue management changes. They have also called on the National Pension Service to take a more active role, arguing that passive management amid falling share prices could undermine its fiduciary duty. Political criticism has added to the pressure. Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo said allocating a majority of the proceeds to debt repayment effectively transfers the consequences of management decisions onto shareholders. The regulator has classified the case as a priority review, typically applied to large-scale offerings or those with a significant portion of proceeds used for debt repayment. While the FSS does not have the authority to block the deal outright, it can demand revisions - as seen in a similar case involving Hanwha Aerospace last year. The latest development comes despite efforts by the group to shore up investor confidence. The parent firm, Hanwha Corp., which holds about 36.7 percent of Hanwha Solutions, has decided to fully subscribe to its allocated shares and take up an additional 20 percent in oversubscription, committing about 843.9 billion won. The move is widely seen as an attempt by the owner family to signal support and share the financial burden, as minority shareholder resistance intensifies. Hanwha Solutions has defended the capital increase as necessary to stabilize its balance sheet amid weakening performance in its solar and chemical businesses. Its net debt stood at about 12.2 trillion won at the end of last year, with its net debt-to-EBITDA ratio rising to 29.1 times, highlighting mounting leverage pressures. The company has also faced covenant-related risks, having received a waiver on overseas borrowings after failing to meet certain financial conditions. It said the capital raise is aimed at preventing a credit rating downgrade, easing refinancing pressure and supporting continued investment, including in solar technologies. Still, market attention remains focused on the broader question - not just how much capital is being raised, but why the company’s financial position deteriorated to the point where such a large-scale rights offering became necessary, and how the burden should be shared among management, controlling shareholders and minority investors. 2026-04-10 10:10:32
  • Asian stocks slip as Middle East tensions offset truce optimism
    Asian stocks slip as Middle East tensions offset truce optimism SEOUL, April 09 (AJP) -Asian stocks edged lower Thursday as the celebratory mood over a temporary truce between the U.S. and Iran faded just a day after the agreement. The benchmark KOSPI fell 1.61 percent, or 94.33 points, to close at 5,778.01, after trading between a high of 5,862.41 and a low of 5,757.49. Foreign investors led the selling, offloading 874.7 billion won ($590 million), while retail and institutional investors bought a combined 504.8 billion won. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics fell 3.1 percent to 204,000 won, while SK hynix dropped 3.4 percent to 998,000 won. Hyundai Motor declined 3.6 percent, and Kia lost 5.5 percent. Sector performance was broadly negative, with transport equipment, electronics and insurance shares leading declines, while defensive sectors such as telecommunications and chemicals posted gains. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 1.3 percent to 1,076.00, after moving between 1,091.38 and 1,068.82 during the session. Retail investors led buying on the KOSDAQ, purchasing 931.2 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold 423.9 billion won and 512.0 billion won, respectively. Market sentiment remained fragile despite a Pakistan-mediated two-week truce between Washington and Tehran, as uncertainty over its durability grew. Tensions escalated after Israel launched large-scale airstrikes across Lebanon on Wednesday (local time), even as the truce was being announced. According to Lebanese authorities, at least 182 people were killed and 890 injured, with casualties expected to rise. Lebanon’s prime minister condemned the attacks and declared a national day of mourning, raising concerns over potential disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump said American forces would remain deployed in the region until the agreement is fully implemented, warning of escalation if negotiations fail. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.7 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.7 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. The Korean won weakened in tandem, with the dollar rising to 1,482.0 won. Oil prices moved higher, with Brent crude gaining 3.0 percent to $97.7 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate rising 3.1 percent to $97.3. Market volatility eased, with the VIX falling 17.2 percent, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged 6.3 percent. 2026-04-09 17:38:19
  • Hyundai Motor, Kia to report double-digit fall in Q1 income despite robust sales
    Hyundai Motor, Kia to report double-digit fall in Q1 income despite robust sales SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) – South Korea's top automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia are expected to deliver double-digit falls in their respective first-quarter operating profit on multiple whammies - U.S. tariffs, currency-driven cost pressures and recall-related expenses – despite robust sales. Hyundai Motor is projected to report operating profit of 2.94 trillion won ($2.0 billion) for the January–March period, down 19 percent from a year earlier, and its sister marque Kia 2.45 trillion won, down 18.7 percent, according to market consensus compiled by FnGuide. Top-line momentum, however, remains intact. Hyundai Motor’s sales are expected to rise 4 percent on year to 46.17 trillion won, while Kia is forecast to post a record 29.67 trillion won, up 5.9 percent. Hyundai Motor is scheduled to release earnings on April 23, and Kia the following day. The earnings compression reflects a convergence of external shocks. A 15 percent tariff imposed by the United States on imported vehicles since last year is estimated to have added roughly 1 trillion won in costs for Hyundai Motor and between 600 billion won and 800 billion won for Kia in the first quarter alone. Currency moves compounded the pressure. The Korean won weakened about 6 percent against the dollar from December through March, inflating warranty-related provisions by an estimated 300 billion won. One-off factors also weighed. A recall tied to an electrified seat defect in the Palisade SUV last month led to a temporary halt in sales, adding to cost burdens. Despite margin pressure, both automakers continued to benefit from a richer product mix. Demand for higher-margin SUVs, hybrids and electric vehicles remained firm, supporting revenue growth and cushioning the earnings decline. Combined global sales reached 1.75 million units in the first quarter, with Hyundai Motor selling 975,213 vehicles and Kia 779,169 — broadly sustaining last year’s record pace. In the United States, combined sales rose 2.6 percent to a quarterly high of 430,720 units. Electrification trends also remained a bright spot. Hyundai Motor sold 60,214 eco-friendly vehicles during the quarter, including a record 39,597 hybrids, while Kia posted its strongest first-quarter EV sales at 34,303 units. Looking ahead, both companies are set to accelerate new model rollouts to defend margins. Hyundai Motor plans to introduce hybrid versions of the Avante and Tucson, while Kia will launch EV4 and EV5 models. Premium brand Genesis is also preparing hybrid variants of the GV80 and the flagship GV90. While near-term earnings are under pressure, the combination of resilient volumes, improved mix and electrification momentum is prompting a gradual valuation reset, as investors shift focus from cyclical margins to longer-term competitiveness in the evolving mobility landscape. 2026-04-09 15:29:35
  • Hormuz reopening hopes spark 7% KOSPI surge as oil plunges
    Hormuz reopening hopes spark 7% KOSPI surge as oil plunges SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - The prospect of the Strait of Hormuz reopening under a two-week ceasefire ignited Asian markets on Wednesday, sending South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI soaring nearly 7 percent. The index, after jumping as high as 5,919.60, closed up 6.9 percent at 5,872.3. A buy-side sidecar was triggered shortly after the open as the KOSPI 200 surged more than 5 percent at the opening bell. The rally was driven by a sharp reversal in global energy markets. Brent crude plunged more than 15 percent to $92.89 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell 16.1 percent to $94.6, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would delay military action against Iran for two weeks under a conditional ceasefire tied to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The de-escalation, reportedly accepted by Tehran and involving coordinated maritime access, eased fears of supply disruptions along a route that carries roughly 20 percent of global oil flows. The drop in crude prices tempered inflation concerns and triggered a broad risk-on move across global markets. Investor positioning reflected the shift. Foreign investors bought 2.43 trillion won ($1.65 billion) worth of local equities, while institutions added 2.71 trillion won. Retail investors moved in the opposite direction, selling a combined 5.42 trillion won, indicating profit-taking into the rally. Large-cap stocks led gains, particularly in semiconductors and cyclicals. Samsung Electronics rose 7.1 percent to 210,500 won, while SK hynix surged 12.8 percent to 1,033,000 won, supported by expectations of record first-quarter earnings and upward revisions in target prices. Automakers also advanced, with Hyundai Motor gaining 7.4 percent to 508,000 won and Kia rising 5.6 percent to 159,200 won. LG Electronics jumped 9 percent to 116,700 won after reporting record quarterly revenue, as analysts raised target prices on expectations of a structural shift toward robotics and AI-driven infrastructure. In contrast, select defense stocks retreated, with Hanwha Aerospace falling 3.5 percent to 1,484,000 won, reflecting a decline in geopolitical risk premiums. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ gained 5.1 percent to 1,089.9, trading between 1,071.35 and 1,090.04. Foreign investors bought 240.5 billion won, while institutions added 371.1 billion won. Retail investors sold 583.6 billion won, suggesting gains were driven by institutional and offshore inflows. The Korean won strengthened sharply, with the dollar falling 26 won to 1,471.0 — the steepest drop since March 24 — as the dollar index slipped 1 percent to 98.7. Despite the rally, volatility remained elevated, with the VIX rising 6.7 percent to 25.78, underscoring lingering uncertainty. Across the region, Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 5.5 percent to 56,360.2, while China’s Shanghai Composite rose 2.4 percent to 3,984.6 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 3.1 percent to 25,897.1, led by energy-sensitive and export-oriented sectors. 2026-04-08 16:34:42
  • BTS kicks off first world tour in 7 years amid chart-topping comeback halo
    BTS kicks off first world tour in 7 years amid chart-topping comeback halo SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - K-pop supergroup BTS will launch its “BTS World Tour Arirang” in Goyang on Friday, opening an 85-show run across 34 cities through 2027 in its first global tour in seven years as the group extends its comeback momentum across global charts and digital platforms. The group will hold three concerts at Goyang Stadium on April 9, 11 and 12, marking the opening leg of the world tour. The April 11 show will also be broadcast through a live-viewing event in about 3,800 theaters across some 80 countries and regions, expanding the audience well beyond the venue. The schedule has also been broadened to include additional Latin American stops, including Lima, Santiago and Buenos Aires. The tour will mark the group’s first full-member visits to Colombia, Peru and Argentina, while also setting milestones as the first Korean act to perform at major venues such as Estadio El Campín in Bogotá and Estadio Nacional in Santiago. Demand has already been evident in ticket sales, with dozens of shows across Goyang, Tokyo, North America and Europe sold out. Live Nation said BTS has sold about 2.4 million tickets for 41 performances in North America and Europe alone. As of 1:40 p.m. (0440 GMT), shares of HYBE were trading at 260,500 won, up 1.6 percent. Activity surrounding the Goyang concerts has extended well beyond the stadium. Images of BTS-wrapped buses have circulated online, while rehearsal and soundcheck footage from the venue has spread widely across social media, reflecting the scale of anticipation ahead of the opening shows. Online platforms have also seen a rapid spread of user-generated content, including travel tips, venue guidance and concert-related information, highlighting highly coordinated fan participation both on-site and online. The tour follows the group’s March comeback with its fifth studio album Arirang, which has continued to perform strongly on major charts. The album remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a second consecutive week, marking the first time a K-pop act has posted back-to-back weeks atop the chart. It recorded 187,000 units in its second week, including 114,000 in pure album sales, 65,000 streaming-equivalent units and 8,000 track-equivalent units, according to Billboard. On the singles chart, “SWIM” ranked No. 2 on the latest Billboard Hot 100 while retaining the top spot in digital song sales for a second straight week. Beyond the charts, BTS has continued to roll out content tied to the album. A documentary, BTS: THE RETURN, released on Netflix on March 27, follows the production of Arirang and the members’ creative journey behind the project. The group has also sustained engagement through a staggered release strategy, spacing out new content instead of concentrating attention around a single promotional window. The music video for “SWIM,” released on March 20, has drawn more than 92.1 million views and reached No. 3 on YouTube’s trending chart. An official performance video followed on March 25, topping 22.9 million views and ranking No. 5 on the same chart. On April 2, the “BTS 2.0” video surpassed 34.1 million views and climbed to No. 2 on YouTube’s music trending chart. Most recently, the music video for “Hooligan,” released on April 8, drew more than 4.9 million views within hours. The sequential rollout highlights a strategy designed to sustain visibility and audience engagement over time. Such phased promotion has become increasingly common among major entertainment companies as they seek to extend comeback cycles and maintain momentum ahead of world tours and major international award events. The Goyang concerts will serve as the opening chapter of what is shaping up to be the largest global tour yet by a K-pop act. 2026-04-08 13:59:23
  • Asian stocks edge up as markets brace for Trumps Iran deadline
    Asian stocks edge up as markets brace for Trump's Iran deadline SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - Asian equities ended mostly higher Tuesday, though gains were limited as investors held back ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s self-imposed nighttime deadline for Iran. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI rose 0.82 percent to 5,494.78 after swinging between gains and losses through the session. The rebound was helped by renewed foreign buying following Samsung Electronics’ blockbuster first-quarter earnings, which placed it among the world’s four most profitable tech companies alongside Apple, Nvidia and Microsoft. Still, hopes for a diplomatic off-ramp faded as Iran showed no sign of yielding despite Trump’s sharpest warning yet, threatening to strike power plants and bridges unless Tehran complies by 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. Reports of Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure added to concerns over broader regional escalation and possible energy supply disruptions. Oil prices climbed on those fears. Brent crude rose 1.37 percent and West Texas Intermediate gained 2.3 percent, while the CBOE Volatility Index rose to 24.17, underscoring growing market unease. Foreign investors led late-session buying in Seoul, purchasing a net 406.9 billion won ($270.4 million) worth of shares. Institutions and retail investors were net sellers, offloading 414.1 billion won and 342.6 billion won, respectively. The shift in flows helped the KOSPI recover from earlier weakness. Among major stocks, Samsung Electronics gained 1.8 percent to 196,500 won, while SK hynix climbed 3.4 percent to 916,000 won on continued strength in memory-chip prices. Defense shares also advanced, with Hanwha Aerospace jumping 6 percent amid rising geopolitical tensions. Battery makers were mixed. LG Energy Solution fell 1 percent to 408,500 won after posting a preliminary operating loss of 207.8 billion won, while other secondary battery stocks were comparatively resilient. Automakers edged lower, with Kia slipping 0.5 percent. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 1.02 percent, reversing early gains as retail and institutional investors turned into heavy sellers. Biotech shares dragged on sentiment, with Sam Chun Dang Pharm plunging 16 percent. Global semiconductor sentiment remained firm, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rising 1.2 percent to 7,916.1, reflecting continued optimism over AI-driven chip demand. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended little changed at 53,429.56, while China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.2 percent to 3,886.19. Hong Kong markets remained closed for an extended Easter holiday. The won traded at around 1,504.5 per dollar. 2026-04-07 17:36:32
  • Chang Han-na to lead Seoul Arts Center in first for musician, woman
    Chang Han-na to lead Seoul Arts Center in first for musician, woman SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -Child prodigy-turned cellist-conductor Chang Han-na has been named president of the Seoul Arts Center to become the first musician — and the first woman — to lead South Korea's premier performing arts venue since its founding, the culture ministry said Monday. Her appointment comes as part of a broader reshuffle of leadership across Korea’s flagship arts institutions, signaling a push to bring more practitioner-led vision to the country’s cultural infrastructure. Chang, 44, is expected to begin her three-year term around April 24, pending scheduling for her formal appointment. A globally recognized musician, she rose to prominence at age 11 after winning the top prize at the Rostropovich International Cello Competition in 1994, launching an international career that included performances with leading orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra. Since shifting her focus to conducting in 2007, Chang has led major orchestras across Europe and North America, building an extensive international network and repertoire. She previously served as music director of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and currently holds roles including principal guest conductor of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra and visiting professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said Chang’s global experience and leadership position her to steer the Seoul Arts Center at a time when Korean culture is expanding its international reach. “Chang Han-na brings deep understanding and insight into the performing arts, built on decades of experience and global networks,” the minister said, expressing expectations that she will present a new artistic vision and lead the institution’s next phase of growth. The appointment is also seen as a symbolic shift toward greater diversity in leadership at major cultural institutions. Alongside Chang’s appointment, the ministry named soprano Park Hye-jin as head and artistic director of the National Opera Company of Korea and pianist Yoo Mee-jung as chief executive of the National Symphony Orchestra, with both beginning three-year terms on Monday. Park, a seasoned soprano and former head of the Seoul Metropolitan Opera, has built her career performing leading roles in productions such as La Bohème, Carmen and Turandot, while also bridging performance and education through academic work. Yoo, a pianist and longtime professor at Dankook University, has maintained an active career in performance and music education, and is expected to strengthen the orchestra’s operational performance and international standing. The latest appointments collectively point to a policy direction that emphasizes artistic leadership grounded in field experience, as Korea seeks to elevate the global competitiveness of its performing arts sector. 2026-04-06 14:58:40
  • BTS becomes first K-pop act with multiweek No. 1 on Billboard 200
    BTS becomes first K-pop act with multiweek No. 1 on Billboard 200 SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -BTS’ fifth studio album "ARIRANG" remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a second consecutive week, which is the first time a K-pop act defended No. 1 beyond one week. According to a chart preview released Saturday (local time), the album held off new releases including "BULLY" by Kanye West, which debuted at No. 2, and "HADES" by Melanie Martinez at No. 3. The Billboard 200 ranks albums based on a composite metric of album units. It combines physical and digital sales, streaming equivalent albums (SEA), and track equivalent albums (TEA). The chart performance followed the release of the group’s "2.0" music video. The video, released four days ago, has drawn 27.74 million views on YouTube as of April 6. A behind-the-scenes clip uploaded 14 hours ago has reached 1.74 million views. On the Spotify Daily Global Chart, BTS placed four tracks within the top 20. "SWIM" remained at No. 1 with 7,716,554 streams. "Body to Body" ranked No. 7 with 3,754,874 streams. "2.0" followed at No. 13 with 3,360,525 streams, while "Hooligan" placed No. 16 with 3,133,948 streams. 2026-04-06 11:02:54
  • Korean stocks rebound as Hormuz risks recede, foreign inflows return
    Korean stocks rebound as Hormuz risks recede, foreign inflows return SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - Asian markets swung mostly higher Friday as governments from the Middle East to Europe scramble to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The benchmark KOSPI led gains, closing up 2.7 percent at 5,377.3, as foreign and institutional investors returned to net buying. The won strengthened to 1,507.9 per dollar. The move followed reports that Iran is working with Oman on a maritime protocol to manage transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that handles roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day. The development eased immediate concerns over prolonged supply disruptions, though tensions remain elevated. Foreign investors bought a net 808.5 billion won ($536 million) of stocks, while institutions added 723.8 billion won. Retail investors sold 2.09 trillion won, indicating profit-taking into the rebound. Energy-linked sectors led the rally. Equipment and services firms surged 12.35 percent, shipbuilders rose 6.6 percent and trading companies gained 6.7 percent, reflecting continued positioning around energy security and logistics risks. Semiconductors also drove gains. Samsung Electronics climbed 4.4 percent to 186,200 won, while SK hynix advanced 5.5 percent to 876,000 won, tracking steady U.S. tech performance. By contrast, rate-sensitive heavyweights lagged. LG Energy Solution fell 1.5 percent to 398,500 won and Samsung Biologics declined 2.0 percent to 1,554,000 won, pointing to lingering caution. The KOSDAQ rose 0.7 percent to 1,063.8, giving up part of its earlier gains after hitting an intraday high of 1,083.24. Foreign and institutional investors sold a combined 413.8 billion won, while retail investors bought 406.0 billion won, signaling weaker conviction in smaller, growth-oriented stocks. In currency markets, the won gained 0.34 percent against the dollar, while the dollar index edged down 0.07 percent to 99.95. The VIX fell 2.7 percent to 23.9, indicating easing near-term volatility. Still, oil prices held above $110 per barrel, suggesting that risks tied to Hormuz are not fully priced out. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.3 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite fell 1.0 percent and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.7 percent. 2026-04-03 17:31:54