Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • Hit song from K-pop anime to be performed live at Oscar night this weekend
    Hit song from K-pop anime to be performed live at Oscar night this weekend SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - "Golden," a song from the soundtrack of Netflix's hit animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters," will be featured at this year's Academy Awards scheduled to be held in California this weekend. According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami, the voices behind the film's fictional girl group "Huntrix" will perform their song at the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday. They are expected to captivate audiences with a performance blending traditional Korean dance and live instruments, presenting one of the most striking and memorable moments of Oscar night. The trio also performed live earlier at Britain's annual EE BAFTA Film Awards in London late last month. The 95-minute film, which tells the story of fictional K-pop superstars who possess secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats, is competing for the Best Animated Feature Film award, along with five other nominees, "Arco," "Elio," "Little Amélie or the Character of Rain," and "Zootopia 2." "Golden" is also up for Best Original Song. "K-Pop Demon Hunters" won Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globe Awards in January, while its theme song "Golden" won Best Song Written for Visual Media at last month's Grammy Awards, further boosting its Oscar prospects. Adding to this anticipation, the AMPAS posted a message on social media, "HUNTR/X fans, it's time to get your light sticks out!" 2026-03-11 16:27:51
  • Asian stocks advance as foreign investors return to Korean chipmakers
    Asian stocks advance as foreign investors return to Korean chipmakers SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) — Asian stocks opened higher on Wednesday despite mixed signals from Wall Street, as markets remained jittery over conflicting messages from Washington and shifting remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump on the trajectory and duration of the Middle East war. As of 10:55 a.m., South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI rose 3.43 percent to 5,722.17, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ gained 2.48 percent to 1,165.94. In Tokyo, the benchmark Nikkei 225 climbed 1.92 percent to 55,289.74 in early trading, with semiconductor-related shares attracting buying after strong gains by U.S. chipmakers overnight, led by Intel, AMD and Micron. Shares of NAND flash maker Kioxia Holdings surged 7.23 percent to 21,000 yen. Taiwanese shares also moved higher, with the TAIEX rising 2.03 percent to 33,438.19. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index advanced 0.35 percent to 26,049.87. Foreigners returned to Seoul, buoyed by overnight reward programs from Korea's most influential corporate names. Overseas investors turned net buyers on Tuesday, purchasing 1.034 trillion won ($770 million) worth of shares on the KOSPI market. Most of the inflows were concentrated in semiconductor blue chips. Foreign investors bought 778.9 billion won worth of Samsung Electronics shares and 709.2 billion won of SK hynix, bringing total purchases in the two stocks to more than 1.4 trillion won. The move marked a notable shift after foreigners had dumped more than 20 trillion won worth of Samsung Electronics shares since mid-February, returning to major semiconductor stocks after roughly a month of heavy selling. The buying likely reflects portfolio adjustments ahead of potential U.S. tariff hikes, as well as bargain hunting in semiconductor blue chips that had fallen sharply in recent weeks. Samsung Electronics rose 1.81 percent to 191,300 won, while SK hynix gained 1.49 percent to 952,000 won in Wednesday morning trading. Samsung Electronics said it plans to cancel about 87 million treasury shares — roughly 82.5 percent of its 105.43 million holdings as of end-2025 — in the first half of this year, worth about 15.6 trillion won based on the March 10 closing price. The move is part of its 10 trillion won share buyback program announced in November 2024 to address its valuation discount. Separately, SK Inc., the holding company of SK Group with memory giant SK hynix under its umbrella, decided to cancel about 14.69 million treasury shares, or 80 percent of its holdings, by January next year. The cancellation is valued at roughly 5.1 trillion won based on the latest closing price. Still, it remains too early to conclude that the rebound will be sustained. U.S. stocks ended mixed Tuesday as uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz resurfaced despite falling oil prices. Remarks by Trump about a possible early ceasefire and discussions among G7 nations about releasing strategic petroleum reserves pushed oil prices lower, but geopolitical risks from the ongoing war remain an overhang for markets. Automakers also advanced, with Hyundai Motor up 2.57 percent to 538,500 won and Kia rising 3.98 percent to 167,400 won. Hyundai Mobis added 2.13 percent to 432,000 won. In the battery sector, LG Energy Solution gained 2.18 percent to 375,000 won. Defense and shipbuilding stocks maintained strength, with Hanwha Aerospace up 1.51 percent to 1,477,000 won, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rising 3.26 percent to 602,000 won, and HD Hyundai Electric advancing 3.19 percent to 971,000 won. Financial shares rallied as well. KB Financial Group jumped 5.83 percent to 156,000 won, Samsung Life Insurance rose 5.44 percent to 223,000 won, and Shinhan Financial Group gained 3.92 percent to 92,700 won. Among other large caps, Samsung Biologics rose 3.33 percent to 1,645,000 won, SK Square climbed 3.79 percent to 575,000 won, Samsung C&T gained 5.49 percent to 288,000 won, Naver advanced 2.95 percent to 227,000 won, and Korea Zinc rose 4.92 percent to 1,705,000 won. Shares of retail giant Emart rose 4.5 percent to 95,600 won after the company said its board approved a share swap with Shinsegae Food to acquire the remaining 26.91 percent stake and make the food affiliate a wholly owned subsidiary. Shinsegae Food will be delisted following the deal. The Korean won was trading at 1,469.2 per dollar, little changed from the previous close of 1,469.3. 2026-03-11 11:19:01
  • Dancing the morning away in Seoul — alcohol-free
    Dancing the morning away in Seoul — alcohol-free SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) — On a quiet Saturday morning in Seoul’s Bukchon hanok village, house music pulses through the narrow alleys long before most cafés open their doors. Instead of the thump of late-night clubbing, the crowd gathers just after sunrise. Some arrive fresh from a weekend run. Others come with coffee in hand. Within minutes, strangers begin dancing together in the crisp morning air. Welcome to Seoul’s newest social ritual: the morning rave. The alcohol-free gatherings reflect how South Korea’s younger generation is reshaping the country’s famously nightlife-heavy social culture. Rather than late-night drinking sessions, a growing number of young people are starting their day with music, coffee and community. “I was wondering how people could wake up so early,” said Antonio Garcia, a 30-year-old resident of Sinchon who discovered the event through social media. “This is my first time joining something like this,” she said. “I’d also like to try other activities, like coffee meetup groups.” The rise of morning raves mirrors a broader shift across Seoul, where interest-based communities — from running crews and book clubs to casual coffee gatherings — are expanding as new ways for strangers to connect through shared hobbies. It also comes as drinking culture begins to soften. According to Samsung Securities, South Korea’s liquor market contracted by more than 5 percent last year, reflecting a growing “healthy pleasure” trend and rising interest in alcohol-free lifestyles. Major beverage companies are already feeling the impact. Lotte Chilsung Beverage’s liquor division posted 28.2 billion won ($21 million) in operating profit last year, down 18.8 percent from a year earlier, while HiteJinro has also reported weaker profitability amid sluggish beer sales. The morning rave has also begun attracting curious visitors from overseas. Geo Martiniano, a San Francisco resident in his 30s, attended the Bukchon event during a brief stopover in Seoul. “I’m actually here for only about 12 hours before flying back to the United States tonight,” he said. “A lot of my friends don’t stay out late for parties anymore. So having a concert like this in the morning is really new.” Despite describing himself as relatively introverted, Martiniano said the format made it easier to meet people. “I usually don’t talk to strangers much,” he said. “But here it feels natural.” Similar social concepts are emerging abroad. In the United States, gatherings known as “Admin Nights” — where people meet in cafés or homes to complete small personal tasks together — have spread widely on social media, often described as a “study hall for adults.” Back in Bukchon, the morning rave taps into a comparable desire for shared experiences without nightlife pressures. “Many running crews stop by to shake off the stress from the workweek,” said Kim Euna, director at Mot Company, which collaborated on organizing the event. “By around 9:30 a.m., you’ll be surprised how hard people are dancing.” The event, held every other week, is jointly organized by K-beauty brand KAHI and global beauty platform YLESS. Each session attracts around 200 participants, with cumulative attendance surpassing 1,000 as of March 7. Inside the venue, the program blends music with lifestyle experiences. Alongside the DJ set and dance floor, visitors can try personal color consultations, quick makeup styling and Korean food tastings. The space is divided into a speaker zone, where music fills the room, and a silent disco area where participants listen through wireless headsets. Kim said the headset format also helps people who arrive alone feel more comfortable. “It makes it easier for people to enjoy themselves even if they come by themselves,” she said. At one point during the event, organizers circulate trays of rice balls topped with beluga caviar and desserts — a nod to KAHI’s premium skincare line Cavi Blue, which features caviar extract. “Like champagne being served in a nightclub, we share caviar around 10 a.m.,” Kim said. “People can dance, taste the caviar and experience the products at the same time.” While traditional raves focus on burning energy late into the night, Kim said the morning version emphasizes starting the day with fresh energy — reflecting a growing focus on wellness among younger consumers. “Alcohol is one of the biggest enemies of healthy skin,” she said. “Replacing alcohol with music and wellness programs fits the lifestyle many young people want now.” The free-entry format also serves as a marketing strategy. The Bukchon venue doubles as a retail space where visitors can explore K-beauty products while enjoying the event. “It allows people to experience the products while they’re already feeling energized,” Kim said. “That kind of experience can create lasting impressions.” The venue has experimented with various cultural programs, including K-pop demonstrations featuring the Saja Boys from the animated series K-pop Demon Hunters and even a kimchi festival. “But the morning rave has received the strongest response so far,” Kim said. “So we’re continuing it more regularly.” Food stalls on the first floor offer simple K-food favorites such as tteokbokki and fish cakes, allowing visitors to experience both K-beauty and Korean street food within Bukchon’s traditional setting. The event draws a notably international crowd. Foreign visitors accounted for 30 to 40 percent of participants at one session two weeks ago, Kim said, although more Korean attendees appeared this time. “We see nearby Bukchon residents coming by,” she said. “Some even show up casually in slippers.” Families visiting Korea have also joined the morning dance floor before sampling Korean snacks together. Another popular attraction is the free personal color analysis and on-site makeup styling, services that remain relatively uncommon outside Korea. Personal color consultations — which analyze skin tone, hair and eye color to identify the most flattering palette — typically cost 100,000 to 300,000 won ($75–$220) in Seoul, with comprehensive sessions sometimes exceeding 500,000 won. The service has become part of the country’s growing beauty tourism industry. According to the Seoul Tourism Organization, overseas visitors spent about 36.4 billion won on beauty services last year, a 231 percent increase from 2019. Anna Fisher, a 24-year-old living in Pyeongtaek, was among those waiting in line. “I woke up at 5 a.m.,” she said with a laugh. “Seoul has things like this that I haven’t seen anywhere else in the world. I love that you can start the day dancing.” She added that Korea’s global beauty reputation also draws visitors. “K-beauty is so big,” she said. “A lot of foreigners come because of that too. It’s pretty neat.” 2026-03-10 11:48:44
  • KOSPI recovers to 5,500 as Asian stocks rebound on easing oil fears
    KOSPI recovers to 5,500 as Asian stocks rebound on easing oil fears SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - Asian stock markets rebounded on Tuesday as oil prices retreated after U.S. President Donald Trump said the conflict in the Middle East is "going to be ended soon," while G7 ministers hinted at a possible release of strategic oil reserves to ease surging prices. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI rebounded to the 5,500 level just a day after a sharp selloff, as investor sentiment improved following Trump's remarks as well as a drop in global oil prices from over US$100 per barrel to around $80. Even a buy-side sidecar kicked in during the early trading session, as the KOSPI rose 6.13 percent to 5,573.55 and the tech-heavy KOSDAQ gained 4.11 percent to 1,147.63 just a few hours after the day's trading began. Foreign and institutional investors led the buying, with net purchases of 1.07 trillion won and 510 billion won, respectively, while individual investors sold a net 1.47 trillion won. Japanese shares also rebounded after a steep selloff the previous day, when the Nikkei 225 recorded its third-largest intraday drop on record. Tokyo's index rose 2.95 percent to 54,287.95 by 10:00 a.m., recovering some of the prior session's losses as falling oil prices and optimism over a possible settlement in the Middle East boosted investor sentiment. Chip-related stocks drove the gains, with Tokyo Electron rising 3.49 percent to 40,280 yen ($268) and Advantest climbing 5.51 percent to 24,135 yen. Taiwanese shares also moved higher, with the TAIEX rising 3.14 percent to 33,118.03 shortly after trading began in Taipei. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index advanced 1.31 percent to 25,740.29. Meanwhile, overnight gains in memory chip stocks on Wall Street lifted Korean semiconductor shares. SanDisk surged 11.64 percent, while Lam Research and Micron Technology rose 5.93 percent and 5.14 percent, respectively. In Seoul, Samsung Electronics gained 9.68 percent to 190,300 won, and SK hynix jumped 11.36 percent to 931,000 won. However, defense and refinery stocks, which had jumped amid geopolitical tensions, retreated after Trump's comments. S-Oil fell 7.51 percent to 118,900 won, and Hanwha Systems dropped 3.63 percent to 156,800 won. Other defense-related stocks also declined, with LIG Nex1 falling 2.51 percent to 776,000 won and Hyundai Rotem slipping 1.16 percent to 213,000 won. Hanwha Aerospace rebounded 2.86 percent to 1,476,000 won after early losses, reflecting a growing divergence among defense stocks as investors increasingly differentiate based on company fundamentals and order momentum. Shares of automakers climbed, as Hyundai Motor added 5.72 percent to 536,000 won and Kia rose 4.76 percent to 160,700 won. Among other heavyweights, Samsung Biologics rose 2.09 percent to 1,612,000 won, LG Energy Solution added 2.78 percent to 369,500 won, and Samsung C&T climbed 3.51 percent to 280,000 won. The won strengthened sharply amid easing oil prices and expectations of an early end to the Middle East conflict, trading around 1,472.70 against the greenback, compared with about 1,494.7 won the previous day. 2026-03-10 11:12:54
  • KOSPI swings back up 5% on easing oil prices and Trump comment on war
    KOSPI swings back up 5% on easing oil prices and Trump comment on war SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) — South Korean shares swung back as sharply as their fall, riding on a rapid retreat in oil prices after the U.S. president vowed the fighting in the Middle East could be “ended soon” and G7 ministers scrambled to take concerted action to ease prices through a possible release of strategic reserves. A sidecar was issued as soon as the opening bell on Tuesday, but unlike the previous morning it was triggered to cool buy-side momentum as both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ soared more than 5 percent, recouping most of the KOSPI’s near 6 percent drop on Monday. A buy-side sidecar is a market stabilization mechanism that temporarily halts program trading for five minutes when KOSPI 200 futures rise more than 5 percent from the reference price and sustain that level for at least one minute. The benchmark KOSPI was up 5.33 percent at 5,534.47 and the KOSDAQ gained 2.61 percent to 1,153.89 as of 9:30 a.m. Foreign investors, who sold more than 3 trillion won ($2.1 billion) worth of shares and institutions more than 1 trillion won the previous day, changed positions with retail investors to become heavy buyers. The volatile swings in Seoul have hinged heavily on oil price movements and remarks from the U.S. president. President Donald Trump said he expects the war in Iran to end “very soon,” but also described it as “the beginning of building a new country,” as the administration offered differing characterizations of how long the operation may last. He also warned Iran could pay an “incalculable” price if its military disrupts oil tankers, as major importers grapple with higher prices since the war began. Speaking to reporters at his Miami-area golf club in his first formal news conference since the U.S. and Israel began strikes on Iran, Trump said he does not expect the war to end next week, but “soon.” His contradictory comments sent mixed signals to oil markets. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude was trading at $88.81 a barrel after swinging within roughly a $28 range, while global benchmark Brent crude settled at $90.33 a barrel, sharply below an intraday high of $119.50. Oil prices retreated after finance ministers from the Group of Seven nations said in a joint statement they could release strategic petroleum reserves if needed to address surging prices and potential supply disruptions. Overnight in New York, all three major stock indexes also rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.50 percent, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.83 percent and 1.38 percent, respectively. Most major stocks traded higher, with the exception of defense firms Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems, which fell 2.37 percent and 5.47 percent, respectively. Samsung Electronics rose 8.18 percent to 187,700 won, while SK hynix gained 9.33 percent to 914,000 won. Automakers also advanced, with Hyundai Motor climbing 6.11 percent to 538,000 won and Kia rising 4.89 percent to 160,900 won. Among other heavyweights, LG Energy Solution added 3.76 percent to 373,000 won, while Samsung Biologics gained 3.04 percent to 1,627,000 won and Naver edged up 2.06 percent to 223,000 won. 2026-03-10 09:43:20
  • Black Monday hits Asia on oil price surge; Korean won and bonds also crash
    Black Monday hits Asia on oil price surge; Korean won and bonds also crash SEOUL, March 9 (AJP) — Asian stock markets plunged Monday as fears of a prolonged blockade of the Middle East’s key oil shipping route sent crude prices above $100 a barrel, triggering a broad risk-off selloff across the region. South Korean and Japanese shares suffered the steepest losses in early trading as the prospect of disruptions to energy supplies bound for Asia rattled investors. The benchmark KOSPI dropped as much as 8 percent, retreating to the 5,100 level, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 7.13 percent to 51,657.37. Taiwan’s TAIEX declined 5.45 percent to 31,768.90, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 2.77 percent to 25,044.34. Sell-side sidecar curbs were triggered immediately after the opening bell on both the main KOSPI and secondary KOSDAQ markets. Geopolitical tensions escalated after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” while Tehran named Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new leader in what analysts saw as a defiant move signaling a prolonged conflict. The prospect of a drawn-out war pushed oil prices sharply higher. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude surged more than 16 percent to $107.92 a barrel, while Brent crude climbed over 17 percent to above $108, marking the first time oil prices have exceeded the $100 threshold since July 2022 as of late Sunday trading. The spike followed disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments, prompting oil producers to reduce output. Given South Korea’s heavy dependence on Middle Eastern energy imports, rising oil prices are expected to weigh heavily on the domestic economy. Foreign investors sold 2.15 trillion won ($1.6 billion) worth of shares on the KOSPI, while domestic institutions dumped 1.3 trillion won. Retail investors stepped in as bargain hunters, buying 3.4 trillion won, but decliners still overwhelmed gainers 865 to 62. Utility and fuel-importing companies were among the few survivors. POSCO International and LG International rose 11.87 percent and 7.22 percent, respectively. The Korean won weakened sharply to 1,497.30 per dollar, compared with 1,475.7 won on Friday, approaching the psychologically critical 1,500 level for the first time since March 12, 2009, during the global financial crisis. Panic extended to the bond market. The three-year Korean government bond yield jumped 25 basis points to 3.477 percent, widening the spread to nearly 100 basis points above the Bank of Korea’s policy rate of 2.50 percent. The 10-year government bond yield rose 15.3 basis points to 3.769 percent in morning trading. Leverage in the domestic stock market has reached record levels. According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, outstanding margin loans stood at a record 33.6945 trillion won as of March 5. Margin loans refer to funds borrowed from brokerages by investors to buy stocks and typically rise when expectations for market gains increase. DB Securities said foreign investors had largely sold Korean equities during the Iran crisis but were selectively buying construction stocks linked to the nuclear power theme. The construction sector recorded the highest ratio of cumulative foreign net purchases relative to market capitalization during the period. As of March 6, the ratio stood at 1.20 percent of market capitalization. Foreign investors also increased holdings in Samsung E&A (0.73 percent) and Hyundai Engineering & Construction (0.64 percent). Analysts said the buying reflects expectations that nuclear power could emerge as an alternative energy source during periods of oil price spikes, while the AI-driven surge in electricity demand is likely to boost nuclear energy investments. Korean companies with strengths in both nuclear and construction sectors are also seen as potential beneficiaries of future reconstruction projects in the Middle East once the conflict subsides. Among market heavyweights, Samsung Electronics fell 9.35 percent to 170,600 won, while SK hynix dropped 11.15 percent to 821,000 won. Defense stocks were mixed after early gains. Hanwha Aerospace declined 6.28 percent to 1,388,000 won, while Hanwha Systems rose 2.33 percent to 162,600 won, remaining one of the few gainers in an otherwise broad market decline. LIG Nex1, the developer of the Cheongung-II missile defense system, initially rose about 4.44 percent at the open but later reversed course, falling 3.12 percent to 808,000 won. Automakers also retreated, with Hyundai Motor sliding 10.31 percent to 496,000 won and Kia declining 8.74 percent to 152,400 won. Battery and biotech stocks weakened as well. LG Energy Solution fell 6.23 percent to 354,000 won, while Samsung Biologics slipped 5.29 percent to 1,557,000 won. 2026-03-09 11:53:24
  • Seoul stocks and won in freefall on oil price surge
    Seoul stocks and won in freefall on oil price surge SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - South Korean shares extended a freefall Monday as markets entered the second week of the war in Iran, with the conflict widening after Tehran named the son of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as the country’s new leader — a move seen as defying the United States and Israel and signaling a prolonged confrontation likely to rattle global energy markets. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI tumbled 6.65 percent to 5,213.61, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 5.74 percent to 1,088.35 as of 9:01 a.m., pressured by surging oil prices. The won weakened sharply, with the dollar rising to 1,493.10 won. International oil prices surged above the psychologically important $100-per-barrel level for the first time in nearly four years. Defense-related shares were among the few gainers in an otherwise broad market decline. Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems rose 1.22 percent and 6.04 percent at the open, respectively, while LIG Nex1 — the developer of the Cheongung-II missile defense system — gained about 4.44 percent in early trading after surging roughly 64 percent last week. According to Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the National Defense Committee, about 60 interceptor missiles were launched from two Cheongung-II batteries deployed in the United Arab Emirates, achieving a reported interception rate of around 96 percent. The UAE has also asked Seoul to accelerate deliveries of additional Cheongung-II batteries under an existing contract and supply interceptor missiles ahead of schedule. KOSPI top players became primary targets of institutional selling. Samsung Electronics fell about 7.07 percent as its union moved ahead with a vote on strike. SK hynix also dropped 6.71 percent. Hyundai Motor declined 7.59 percent, while affiliate Kia retreated 7.90 percent in early trading after a recent Bernstein Research report identified Hyundai Motor among automakers most exposed to the widening conflict in Iran. The market turmoil comes as the Middle East war enters its second week. Iran on Sunday named Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader after the elder Khamenei was killed along with senior regime figures in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Feb. 28. The move widely interpreted as consolidating hardline control in Tehran raised fears that the conflict with the United States and Israel could stretch into a prolonged regional confrontation. 2026-03-09 09:38:31
  • Asian markets end first war week edgy, KOSPI most volatile
    Asian markets end first war week edgy, KOSPI most volatile SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) — Asian stock markets wrapped up one of their most volatile weeks in recent years as escalating tensions in the Middle East rattled global financial markets and pushed oil prices higher. The wildest swings were seen in Seoul, where panicky selling and frantic bargain-hunting traded places throughout the four-session, war-dominated week. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 5,584.87, down more than 10 percent from a week earlier before the strikes on Iran and 11 percent below its historic high of 6,347.41 on Feb. 26. In the first two sessions following the outbreak of hostilities, the KOSPI plunged 19 percent, before rebounding roughly 10 percent on Thursday. On Friday, the index barely stayed positive after swinging between 5,381.27 and 5,609.98 during the session. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ fared slightly better, edging up 0.43 percent to close at 1,154.67. Defense shares outperformed as investors bet on rising geopolitical demand. LIG Nex1 jumped 9.31 percent to 834,000 won on expectations for additional orders of missile interceptor systems deployed along Middle Eastern borders near Iran. Hanwha Aerospace rose 7.24 percent to 1,481,000 won, while Hanwha Systems gained 5.37 percent to 158,900 won and Hanwha Ocean climbed 3.77 percent to 126,700 won. Chipmakers, however, were primary targets for profit-taking. Samsung Electronics fell 1.77 percent to 188,200 won, while SK hynix slipped 1.81 percent to 924,000 won. Automakers and battery makers traded higher. Hyundai Motor rose 0.91 percent to 553,000 won, and Kia gained 0.36 percent to 167,000 won. LG Energy Solution added 1.62 percent to 377,500 won, while Samsung SDI jumped 4.59 percent to 410,500 won. Energy-related shares also advanced. Doosan Enerbility surged 8.29 percent to 98,000 won, and HD Hyundai Electric climbed 2.78 percent to 444,000 won. Internet and brokerage stocks posted gains as well. NAVER rose 1.14 percent to 222,500 won, while Mirae Asset Securities advanced 2.91 percent to 67,100 won. Financial shares were mixed. KB Financial slipped 1.07 percent to 147,400 won, Shinhan Financial declined 1.18 percent to 91,800 won, and Samsung Life Insurance fell 1.87 percent to 210,000 won. Among other large caps, Samsung Biologics dipped 0.18 percent to 1,644,000 won, while Samsung C&T dropped 3.24 percent to 283,500 won. SK Square declined 2.30 percent to 553,000 won, and Korea Zinc edged down 0.40 percent to 1,752,000 won. Retail investors dominated trading during the turbulent week, with net purchases totaling 2.95 trillion won ($2 billion). Foreign investors and institutions were net sellers, offloading 1.94 trillion won and 1.11 trillion won, respectively. Elsewhere in Asia, markets showed more moderate swings. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.62 percent to close at 55,620.84 on Friday, trimming part of the week’s losses. The benchmark index, however, remained down about 4.06 percent over the past five sessions, reflecting persistent caution among investors. China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.38 percent to 4,124.19 on Friday, but the index still fell roughly 0.66 percent over the past five days, signaling a cautious recovery as investors weighed geopolitical risks and global market volatility. Separately, the Hurun Global Rich List reported that China — including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan — once again hosts the world’s largest number of billionaires, with 1,110 out of the global total of 4,020. Rupert Hoogewerf, founder of the Hurun Global Rich List, said the surge was partly driven by global stock market gains and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence industries, with new billionaires emerging from Chinese AI firms such as MiniMax and Zhipu AI. 2026-03-06 17:32:19
  • Day 7 Middle East War: How Operation Epic Fury was born in the AI age
    Day 7 Middle East War: How Operation Epic Fury was born in the AI age As the war triggered by U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran enters its first week, AJP examines how the conflict began and evolved, the emerging power vacuum in Tehran and its implications for Iran and the Gulf states, and the broader impact on global energy routes, financial markets and the international order. SEOUL, March 06 (AJP) — Residents of Tehran did not immediately grasp what had happened. Shortly before 10 a.m. local time on Feb. 28, explosions ripped across the Iranian capital as coordinated strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces targeted the country’s military leadership and strategic infrastructure. Air-raid sirens sounded only after the first wave had already struck. Within less than an hour, the opening phase of what Washington called Operation Epic Fury had achieved its primary objective: crippling Iran’s command structure and striking key missile and nuclear facilities. The operation had been authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump the previous afternoon — Feb. 27 at 3:38 p.m. EST — following intelligence assessments that Washington said pointed to accelerating Iranian nuclear development and renewed proxy attacks on Israel. Tehran denies those accusations, and Washington has not publicly presented detailed evidence. The first strikes began at 1:35 a.m. EST (9:05 a.m. Tehran time) as U.S. Central Command bombers and Israeli aircraft hit targets across Tehran and other strategic sites. Reports soon emerged that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been killed in a bunker strike roughly ten minutes later. The campaign widened almost immediately. Iran responded at 4:05 a.m. EST with Operation True Promise IV, launching more than 170 missiles and hundreds of drones toward Israel and U.S. military installations across the Gulf. Interceptions prevented large-scale damage in many areas, but the attack reverberated across the region. Missiles and drones struck or were intercepted near Bahrain’s Fifth Fleet headquarters, Qatar’s Al Udeid air base and Kuwait’s Al Salem base. Dubai International Airport temporarily suspended operations after debris fell near flight corridors. The first day alone signaled that the conflict would not remain contained. A week of rapid escalation Over the following days, the war expanded across multiple fronts. By March 1, U.S. and Israeli forces had intensified strikes on Iranian command centers, missile bases and nuclear facilities. Iranian retaliation extended to ports and energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including shipping hubs in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Hezbollah joined the confrontation with rocket barrages from Lebanon, while U.S. forces targeted militia infrastructure across the region. On March 2, American B-2 bombers reportedly struck the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while Iranian missiles targeted U.S. diplomatic facilities in Kuwait and bases in Qatar. The escalation continued through the week. Strikes damaged or destroyed several Iranian nuclear facilities and naval assets, including warships in the Persian Gulf. By the end of the first week, more than 1,000 people were reported killed in Iran, while missile exchanges and proxy attacks continued across the region. Shipping lanes near the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil trade passes, were also threatened by mines and naval activity. With no ceasefire in sight, the conflict had already expanded beyond a limited strike into a regional war. Echoes of Iraq — but a different war The opening of the conflict immediately drew comparisons to the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, which was also justified partly on fears of weapons of mass destruction. Following the Sept. 11 attacks, the administration of President George W. Bush adopted a doctrine of preemptive strikes against states suspected of developing WMD or supporting terrorism. The Iraq war later became controversial after such weapons were never found. The current campaign against Iran has been framed differently — as an effort to contain Tehran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities before they mature into a direct strategic threat. Yet analysts say the motivations behind Operation Epic Fury are likely more complex. Many see a convergence of political opportunity, regional rivalry and strategic calculation. “Having completed or even ongoing military operations would benefit Trump politically,” said Annette Freyberg-Inan, a professor at the University of Amsterdam. “Trump likes to present himself as a global strongman and peacemaker who fixes problems,” she said. For Israel, she added, the confrontation offered “an opportunity to punish and perhaps even remove the Iranian regime while improving Israeli security with U.S. backing.” Domestic political pressures may also have played a role. “Netanyahu’s political survival relies heavily on war, and Iran has always been the primary target,” said Robert Huish, a professor at Dalhousie University. A moment of perceived weakness Iran’s internal turmoil may also have shaped the timing of the operation. In January, large anti-government protests erupted across several Iranian cities before being suppressed by security forces. According to Dov Levin, a professor at the University of Hong Kong, those events may have signaled vulnerability to Washington. “The protests created what could be seen as a ‘blood in the water’ moment,” Levin said. “They may have convinced U.S. decision-makers that Iran was in a particularly weak position and could potentially be coerced into concessions or even defeated quickly in a conflict.” Others believe strategic concerns over nuclear proliferation were decisive. Lee Haneol , a professor of political science and diplomacy at Pusan National University, said Washington and Jerusalem may have concluded that delaying action risked allowing Iran to cross a nuclear threshold. “In that sense, the operation may have been less about democratizing Iran and more about preventing the emergence of another nuclear-armed state similar to North Korea,” Lee said. Warfare in the AI age Beyond geopolitics, the conflict has also revealed how rapidly modern warfare is being reshaped by advanced technologies. The opening strikes showcased AI-assisted intelligence analysis, precision-guided weapons and integrated missile-defense networks capable of identifying and destroying targets within minutes. But experts caution that artificial intelligence remains a complex tool in military decision-making. Hans Liwång, a researcher at the Swedish Defence University, said many widely known AI systems — including large language models — are poorly suited to battlefield analysis. “A particular challenge with AI-based systems is that they are opaque and their reasoning can be difficult to explain,” he said. “Such systems on their own may create bad advice in very convincing language.” Military-grade AI therefore relies on specialized data and tightly controlled operational systems developed within defense agencies or contractors. Still, technology is rapidly changing the battlefield. Yang Woo-jin, a senior researcher at the Security Management Institute, said the first week of the war demonstrated how advanced weapons systems and real-time intelligence networks are increasingly integrated into combat operations. “Israel operates layered missile-defense systems such as Arrow-2, Arrow-3 and Iron Dome, with interception rates estimated at around 90 percent,” Yang said. “The United States maintains a technological advantage in precision-strike platforms and battlefield intelligence.” But the future of warfare may depend less on raw firepower than on speed. “In technology-driven conflicts, the key factor is often who can detect threats faster, make decisions more quickly and allocate resources more efficiently,” Yang said. Iran, he noted, may attempt to counter that advantage through asymmetric strategies, including drone swarms, proxy militias and underground missile systems. As the conflict enters its second week, the implications are expanding far beyond Iran and Israel. Energy markets, shipping routes and financial markets are already reacting to disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint. But the deeper significance may lie elsewhere. The war is unfolding at a moment when AI, drones and precision weapons are transforming how conflicts begin, escalate and spread. Operation Epic Fury may therefore be remembered not only for how it began — but for what it revealed about the next generation of warfare. 2026-03-06 14:53:56
  • South Korean stocks roar back, up 12% on opening bell
    South Korean stocks roar back, up 12% on opening bell SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) – An epic rebound followed an epic downfall for South Korean shares as they opened Thursday 12 percent, instantly erasing the largest-ever collapse of the same scale a day earlier. As of 9:23 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI soared 11.5 percent to 5,684.53, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ climbed 11.45 percent to 1,090.52. After two consecutive sessions that triggered sell-side sidecars, the opposite sidecar — on the buy side — was activated shortly after the opening bell. Retail and foreign investors piled in in full force, bargain-hunting after the main bourse shed nearly 20 percent over the previous two sessions. Individuals were net buyers of 277.9 billion won ($206 million), while foreigners purchased a net 600.5 billion won. Their buying centered on heavyweight stocks that had become sharply cheaper during the two-day rout. Samsung Electronics surged 13.59 percent to 195,600 won, while SK hynix jumped 15.19 percent to 978,000 won, extending strong gains among semiconductor bellwethers. Automakers also advanced sharply. Hyundai Motor climbed 14.57 percent to 574,000 won, while affiliate Hyundai Mobis rose 9.77 percent to 438,000 won and Kia gained 9.76 percent to 172,000 won. Battery and defense stocks joined the rebound. LG Energy Solution added 8.06 percent to 375,500 won, while Hanwha Aerospace edged up 2.95 percent to 1,362,000 won. Financial shares also rallied, with KB Financial Group rising 10.09 percent to 151,600 won, Shinhan Financial Group gaining 7.66 percent to 95,600 won, and Samsung Life Insurance climbing 8.61 percent to 214,500 won. Market breadth underscored the strength of the rebound. On the main KOSPI board, gainers overwhelmed losers 899 to 20. On the KOSDAQ, 1,660 stocks advanced versus just 59 decliners. The Korean won also strengthened on renewed foreign inflows, with the dollar slipping 2.80 won from overnight to trade at 1,460.70 won. 2026-03-05 09:39:48