Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • KOSPI, unfazed by Trumps antics, closes above 5,000 points
    KOSPI, unfazed by Trump's antics, closes above 5,000 points SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI closed above 5,000 points on Tuesday, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's sudden threat to raise tariffs again. The index closed at 5,084.85, up 2.73 percent from the previous session, and the junior KOSDAQ also rose 1.71 percent to 1,082.59 after reaching a milestone of 1,000 points the previous day for the first time in about four years. Shares of Samsung Electronics rose 4.87 percent to 159,500 won, while SK hynix surged a whopping 8.70 percent to 800,000 won, further boosted by news that it was chosen as the exclusive supplier of HBM3E high-bandwidth memory for Microsoft's next-generation, artificial intelligence (AI) chip dubbed Maia 200. Other large-cap stocks were mixed, with Samsung Biologics dropping 0.94 percent to 1,790,000 won, Samsung Life Insurance rising 2.69 percent to 187,100 won, and LG Energy Solution falling 1.8 percent to 408,500 won. Shipbuilding-related shares were also mixed, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries falling 2.81 percent to 588,000 won and Hanwha Ocean up 0.5 percent to 140,500 won. Trump's threat somewhat affected auto-related stocks, as Hyundai Motor closed down 0.81 percent at 488,500 won, which was a slight recovery after falling nearly 5 percent in earlier trading. Kia also dropped 1.1 percent to 153,500 won. Defense and aerospace stocks also traded lower, with Hanwha Aerospace down 2.54 percent at 1,230,000 won. Individuals sold a net 1.02 trillion won ($705 million), while foreigners and institutional investors snapped up a net 850.8 billion won and 232.7 billion won, respectively. The won remained stable against the greenback, trading at 1,444.60 per dollar. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares edged higher after opening lower, with the Nikkei 225 Index up 0.85 percent at 53,333.54. 2026-01-27 16:47:41
  • [BTS Comeback] Global tour draws presidential plea from Mexico
    [[BTS Comeback]] Global tour draws presidential plea from Mexico SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - BTS’s first global concert tour in nearly four years, following the completion of the Korean members’ mandatory military service, has reached the level of presidential diplomacy in Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had personally appealed to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to help secure additional BTS concert dates in Mexico, citing overwhelming demand from Mexican youth. Speaking at a regular press briefing on Jan. 26 local time, Sheinbaum said she sent a message to Lee asking for his support in expanding the group’s scheduled performances during their Mexico stop in May. “We have not yet received a response, but we hope it will be positive,” she said. Sheinbaum added that she also contacted concert organizers to explore the possibility of adding more shows. However, local promoter Ocesa has said that additional dates are currently not feasible. BTS is scheduled to perform at GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City on May 7, 9 and 10. A senior official at HYBE, the group’s management agency, said the company has not received any formal request regarding the matter. Sheinbaum had earlier welcomed the confirmation of BTS’s visit, saying during a Jan. 19 briefing that the concerts fulfilled a “historic request” from Mexican youth. GNP Seguros Stadium has a capacity of approximately 50,000 to 60,000, and all tickets sold out within 37 minutes of going on sale on Jan. 24. Ticketmaster described the sale as one of the most intense in Mexico’s recent concert history, with searches originating from more than 1,300 cities worldwide. According to Sheinbaum, around 150,000 tickets were sold, while more than 1 million people attempted to purchase them. Meanwhile, Mexico’s Federal Consumer Protection Office (Profeco) has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over unclear consumer information and potential scalping practices. The agency has also warned resale platforms such as StubHub and Viagogo, where tickets have been listed at five to six times their original prices. 2026-01-27 11:40:51
  • Seoul markets mostly unfazed by renewed Trumpian tariff threat
    Seoul markets mostly unfazed by renewed Trumpian tariff threat SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) –Stocks were undisturbed in their growth momentum while the Korean won gave up earlier gains against the U.S. dollar as the Korean financial markets weighed the gravity of the overnight social-media threat by President Donald Trump to reinstate 25-percent tariffs on selected South Korean exports including automobiles. As of 10:23 a.m. Seoul, KOSPI rose 0.76ercent to 4.987.03 smaller KOSDAQ up 0.93 percent at 1,074.64. The won was mildly affected, with the U.S. dollar rising 1.6 won to 1,449.60 won. In a post on his Truth Social platform late Sunday, Trump said he would raise tariffs on South Korean products — including autos, lumber and pharmaceuticals — from 15 percent to 25 percent, citing Seoul’s failure to ratify what he described as a “historic trade agreement.” “Because the Korean Legislature hasn’t enacted our Historic Trade Agreement, which is their prerogative, I am hereby increasing South Korean TARIFFS on Autos, Lumber, Pharma, and all other Reciprocal TARIFFS, from 15% to 25%,” Trump wrote. He did not specify when the higher tariffs would take effect. Trump said the move followed South Korea’s failure to ratify a trade package he said was reached with President Lee Jae Myung on July 30, 2025, and reaffirmed during his visit to Korea in late October. Shares of Hyundai Motor, which would be among the most directly affected, fell as much as 4 percent earlier in the session but later pared losses to trade down just 0.1 percent, as Seoul authorities moved quickly to assess potential countermeasures. The Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association said the impact on the industry is likely to be limited, noting that relatively few Korean drugmakers have significant direct exposure to the U.S. market. It added that companies with U.S. exposure have already secured alternative arrangements, including local contract manufacturing or acquisitions of production facilities, to mitigate risks. The pharmaceutical index slipped 0.8 percent. Defense and aerospace shares also edged lower, with Hanwha Aerospace down 0.48 percent at 1,256,000 won. Shipbuilders showed mixed performance. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 2.98 percent to 587,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean gained 0.86 percent to 141,000 won. In regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.12 percent to 52,819.94, as investors monitored potential spillover effects should Washington revisit similar tariff arrangements with Tokyo. 2026-01-27 11:08:14
  • A star rising quietly from the K-pop margins with soothing voice -Hanroro
    A star rising quietly from the K-pop margins with soothing voice -Hanroro SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) – While the global spotlight is fixed on BTS’s long-awaited comeback and K-pop’s high-profile Grammy ambitions, a very different ascent is unfolding on Korea’s domestic charts — quieter, slower, but no less decisive. Hanroro, an indie singer-songwriter once known mainly through word of mouth, has emerged as one of the most talked-about new voices of the year. Often described as a “Gen Z rock star,” she has climbed steadily rather than explosively, edging her way toward the top of the charts on the strength of songs that linger rather than shout. Her track “Landing in Love,” first released last year, entered Melon’s weekly Top 100 in October and continued its slow burn into the new year, reaching No. 2 for the January 12–18 tracking period. In an industry accustomed to instant virality, the song’s rise feels almost old-fashioned — built on repeat listens, shared clips and emotional recognition. The turning point came last July, when Hanroro appeared on Mnet’s live performance program Live Wire as a featured artist chosen by JANNABI. Her restrained delivery of “Landing in Love” — understated, controlled, and quietly raw — struck a chord. A clip of the performance later surpassed 4.5 million views on YouTube, fueling organic discovery and pushing streaming numbers higher. The pattern was familiar to those who had followed her earlier. Her debut track, “Let Me Love My Youth,” gained early traction after BTS leader RM shared the song on social media — a brief endorsement that introduced her music to a far wider audience. Since then, a combination of celebrity mentions, broadcast exposure and online circulation has continued to widen her reach, without diluting the intimacy of her sound. At the heart of Hanroro’s appeal is songwriting that speaks plainly about youth — its tenderness, its bruises, and its quiet resilience. Drawing on her background in Korean literature, she writes her own lyrics, translating the anxieties of growing up, the ache of relationships and the uncertainty of becoming into language that feels both simple and carefully chosen. Listeners quote her lines, replay her songs, and describe them in personal terms. “Your music always feels familiar, warm and touching,” one fan wrote online. “Let Me Love My Youth,” which uses spring as a metaphor for emotional uncertainty, and “Landing in Love,” a reflection on life after a breakup, have resonated deeply with teens and young adults navigating similar terrain. The Korean Music Awards has taken note as well, praising her poetic lyrics and restrained rock arrangements for capturing a subdued nostalgia that defines much of contemporary youth culture. Hanroro’s storytelling now extends beyond music. Her debut novel, JAMONG SALGU CLUB, has drawn renewed attention amid the success of “Landing in Love,” ranking No. 4 on Kyobo Bookstore’s overall bestseller list in the second week of January. An EP of the same title has also gained traction, with the track “0+0” breaking into Melon’s daily Top 10 — evidence that her audience is consuming her work not as isolated songs or books, but as a connected emotional universe. One reader described the novel as a book that made them cry — and then think about how people comfort one another. “You may not know it yet. But the more you cry out that you want to live, the more you will begin to want to live,” Hanroro writes in Jamong Salgu Club. A similar gentleness runs through her song “0+0,” which repeats the line, “I won’t abandon you — you won’t either, right?” These are not dramatic statements, but quiet words that stay with the listener. For many young adults in South Korea, where youth suicide rates remain among the highest in developed countries, such lines have resonated as small but meaningful forms of comfort, offering presence rather than answers. Her rise also reflects a broader shift in Korea’s music industry, where indie artists are increasingly developed with K-pop-style systems. Hanroro’s agency, Authentic, applied structured training and branding strategies more commonly associated with idol acts, while allowing her creative voice to remain intact. Critics note that her gentle sound, coupled with her work across music and literature, has made her especially appealing to young listeners searching for alternatives to the mainstream. That growing engagement is visible beyond charts and reviews. Merchandise tied to Hanroro sold out across all items through A0, a production brand celebrating its second anniversary this year — a sign that casual listeners are becoming committed fans, invested not just in songs but in the world surrounding them. On social media platform X, listeners share lyric excerpts, personal reflections and late-night listening rituals tied to tracks like “0+0” and “Landing in Love,” reinforcing the sense of a shared emotional language. Hanroro will take another symbolic step on March 21, when she holds a solo concert at Kintex in Goyang — on the same day BTS stages its long-awaited comeback show at Gwanghwamun. It is an almost poetic coincidence: the industry’s biggest name reclaiming the center, while a quieter voice continues to rise just offstage, on her own terms. 2026-01-26 17:23:59
  • KOSDAQ breaks above 1,000 as Asia trades mixed; Nikkei retreats on political uncertainty
    KOSDAQ breaks above 1,000 as Asia trades mixed; Nikkei retreats on political uncertainty SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) – Asian equities opened the week mostly lower, with Japanese stocks retreating on rising bond yields and political uncertainty. South Korea’s secondary KOSDAQ bucked the sentiment, surging past the 1,000 mark for the first time in four years on policy optimism. The benchmark KOSPI opened higher but later pared gains. As of 10:37 a.m. local time Monday, the index was down 0.48 percent at 4,966.31. The KOSDAQ jumped 5.48 percent to 1,048.35, triggering a buying sidecar as momentum accelerated in growth stocks. A KOSDAQ buying sidecar is activated when KOSDAQ 150 futures rise more than 6 percent from the reference price and the spot KOSDAQ 150 index climbs more than 3 percent for at least one minute. At the time of activation, KOSDAQ 150 futures were up 6.29 percent, or 105.10 points, at 1,774.60, while the spot index rose 6.56 percent. Trading in both futures and cash markets was temporarily halted for five minutes to curb volatility. It marked the first KOSDAQ buying sidecar since April 10 last year. The rally was driven by continued expectations for government measures to revitalize the junior bourse, along with strong gains in biotech and secondary battery shares. Market sentiment was buoyed by reports that the KOSPI 5,000 Special Committee recently proposed leveraging digital assets to push the KOSDAQ toward the 3,000 level during a luncheon meeting with President Lee Jae Myung. Policy initiatives such as the proposed “National Growth Fund” to boost venture investment also supported sentiment. Among KOSDAQ stocks, ABL Bio surged more than 15 percent, EcoPro BM climbed about 12 percent, and Rainbow Robotics jumped over 22 percent. On the KOSPI, heavyweight stocks showed mixed performance. Samsung Electronics rose 0.33 percent to 152,600 won, while SK hynix fell 2.74 percent to 746,000 won amid speculation that Samsung may be gaining an edge in the HBM4 race. LG Energy Solution advanced 0.85 percent to 415,500 won. Samsung Life Insurance slipped 0.49 percent, and Samsung Biologics edged down 0.17 percent. Automakers traded lower, with Hyundai Motor falling 1.76 percent to 501,000 won and Kia dropping 2.45 percent to 155,100 won, after recent sharp gains. Defense and aerospace shares gained attention, with Hanwha Aerospace rising 1.04 percent to 1,268,000 won, as President Lee Jae Myung’s chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik departed for Canada as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation. Kang is seeking to support South Korea’s bid to secure Canada’s major submarine procurement project, estimated at up to 60 trillion won ($40.9 billion), where Hanwha Ocean is competing against Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Shipbuilders traded lower. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 2.55 percent to 611,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean slipped 0.50 percent to 139,600 won. In currency markets, the won strengthened to 1,444.40 per dollar, up 10.90 won from the previous session, supported by a firmer Japanese yen. Japanese stocks underperformed most in the region. The Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.75 percent to 52,902.87, weighed down by a sharp rise in government bond yields and growing political uncertainty. Yields on Japan’s long-dated government bonds last week had neared 30-year highs while the yen toward the 160-per-dollar level, fueling concerns over investor confidence. Markets were unsettled after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called a snap election for early next month, raising worries over fiscal policy direction amid proposals for additional stimulus and tax cuts. 2026-01-26 11:41:14
  • HYBE and Seoul weigh safety as BTS plans unprecedented public-stage comeback
    HYBE and Seoul weigh safety as BTS plans unprecedented public-stage comeback SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) – Seoul authorities and HYBE are moving cautiously as they prepare for what could become one of the most closely watched public performances in K-pop history: BTS’s planned 2026 comeback show in the Gwanghwamun area, the heart of the capital’s government, business and tourism district. It took several days for the Seoul Metropolitan Government to grant a conditional go-ahead to HYBE’s request to stage the concert in the downtown area in late March. While the idea of a free, open-air BTS performance on city streets has generated excitement worldwide, it has also raised difficult questions about crowd control and public safety. City officials remain acutely aware of the risks associated with large-scale gatherings, particularly after the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush tragedy. Unlike ticketed stadium concerts, a public street performance presents far greater uncertainty. HYBE has estimated attendance could exceed 100,000, but officials acknowledge that the actual number is difficult to predict, especially given BTS’s global fan base. That uncertainty is one reason the city reportedly steered organizers toward a Saturday date, rather than a weekday, out of the three dates originally proposed. Even so, HYBE emphasized that no final decision has been made. “The specific concert date has not been confirmed, and options for March 20, 21 or 22 are currently being reviewed,” said Park Hye-sol, a BTS public relations manager at HYBE. “Safety matters are being discussed with the Korean National Police Agency.” According to Seoul city officials, final authorization will be granted only after a comprehensive safety review. Authorities have called for detailed measures to manage crowd flows, prevent overlaps between performer and audience movements, and minimize traffic disruption in the Gwanghwamun area. “HYBE is in discussion with the Korean National Police Agency, while the Seoul Metropolitan Government and HYBE continue to share updates and review safety measures as concerns arise,” an official from the city’s tourism and events team said. “The formal safety review will take place after the Lunar New Year holiday, and no details have been finalized yet,” the official added. Preparations include plans to redirect pedestrian traffic to reduce congestion around Gwanghwamun and nearby sidewalks, as well as coordination with Seoul Metro to manage subway crowding. Station-specific measures are under discussion, including guidance for passengers to use alternative exits if certain access points become overcrowded. “Because real-time monitoring of crowd levels is essential, guidance will be adjusted on site as conditions change,” the official said. Fans urge caution, not chaos. Online, fans have also voiced concerns—largely framing safety as a shared responsibility between organizers, authorities and the fan community itself. On social media platform X, international fans have warned about the risks of excessive crowd density, calling for clear crowd-flow management, sufficient staffing and strict on-site safety controls. Some posts stressed that enthusiasm should not override caution, urging planners to prioritize safety over spectacle. Several fans tagged law enforcement agencies and event organizers, asking for tighter entry management, clearer separation of pedestrian flows and better organization of waiting areas. One widely shared post summed up the sentiment succinctly: “Prevention is better than reaction.” Attention has also turned to transportation hubs. Some fans cautioned against gathering at airports, noting that such behavior has previously caused congestion and safety concerns. Incheon International Airport has echoed those warnings in recent years, urging entertainment agencies to submit advance travel plans for major artists and strengthen crowd management around terminals. One message circulating widely online urged restraint: “Do not go to airports unless you have a valid flight ticket.” The posts reflect a growing awareness within the fan community of the risks posed by unmanaged gatherings—not only to fans themselves, but also to the artists and the public. As anticipation builds for BTS’s return, organizers and authorities face a delicate balancing act. For an event of this scale and visibility, how safely the crowd is managed may matter just as much as what happens on stage. 2026-01-23 17:47:46
  • Asia stocks edge higher; KOSPI back above 5,000
    Asia stocks edge higher; KOSPI back above 5,000 SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) – Asian equities opened higher on Friday, with South Korean stocks leading gains as easing global trade tensions lifted investor sentiment. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI climbed back above the 5,000 mark in early trading. As of 9:48 a.m. local time, the index was up 1.17 percent at 5,010.28. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ rose 0.82 percent to 978.26. Institutional investors were net buyers of 191.0 billion won ($94 million), while individual investors and foreigners sold a net 138.1 billion won and 81.8 billion won, respectively. Among heavyweight stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 2.1 percent to 155,500 won. SK hynix slipped 0.4 percent to 752,000 won, while LG Energy Solution fell 0.48 percent to 415,000 won. Samsung Life Insurance gained 2.68 percent to 183,600 won, and Samsung Biologics advanced 1.07 percent to 1,797,000 won. Automakers traded mixed. Hyundai Motor rose 0.76 percent to 533,000 won, extending recent gains, while Kia fell 0.3 percent to 164,100 won. Defense and aerospace shares declined, with Hanwha Aerospace down 1.01 percent at 1,276,000 won. Shipbuilders outperformed, supported by expectations of improved earnings and new orders this year. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gained 2.45 percent to 628,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean jumped 4.5 percent to 143,900 won. Construction and redevelopment-related stocks also drew attention as major builders positioned for a new wave of urban renewal projects. With multiple contractor selections scheduled in key redevelopment districts such as Seongsu and Apgujeong, competition among builders has intensified. Daewoo Engineering & Construction surged 11.07 percent in early trade, after entering the bidding race with its premium “Summit” brand. In the foreign exchange market, the South Korean won weakened, with the dollar trading at 1,468.7 won, up 3.70 won from the previous session. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares were higher, with the Nikkei 225 Index gaining 0.17 percent to 53,782.57. 2026-01-23 10:32:17
  • BTS stages comeback at Gwanghwamun on March 21
    BTS stages comeback at Gwanghwamun on March 21 SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) -The date is set for an open invite for BTS's long-awaited full-group comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 after Seoul on Thursday granted conditional approval for the large-scale outdoor concert and began preparations for an influx of tens of thousands of fans into the city center. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it approved conditional use of Gwanghwamun Square for the “BTS 2026 Comeback Show @ Seoul,” proposed by HYBE and Big Hit Music, during the first Gwanghwamun Square advisory committee meeting of the year. Final authorization will be issued once the event passes a safety management review and organizers submit supplementary measures to prevent overlapping exit times for performers and audiences and to minimize traffic disruption, the city said. Seoul officials expect heavy crowding not only at Gwanghwamun Square but across surrounding districts on the day of the concert. The city said it will closely examine safety and crowd-control plans and coordinate with police, Jongno District and other agencies to ensure public safety. The city will also conduct advance on-site inspections to prevent unfair practices, including excessive accommodation pricing, and to address traffic congestion and pedestrian safety risks. Inspections will focus on areas surrounding Gwanghwamun Square, covering 280 lodging facilities in Jongno District and 411 in Jung District. Organizers requested approval for a performance accommodating about 18,000 people at Gwanghwamun Square, with a separate event for up to 30,000 people at Seoul Plaza. City officials cautioned that total turnout could approach 100,000 when accounting for fans gathering in nearby streets and public spaces. The concert marks BTS’s first public appearance as a complete seven-member group in three years and nine months. It follows the release of the group’s fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” scheduled for March 20. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok underscored the symbolism of the venue, saying during a town hall meeting at HYBE headquarters that returning to Gwanghwamun — “a space once safeguarded by fans’ light sticks” — carries special meaning. Seoul said it will roll out special experience programs for overseas visitors, including BTS fans known as ARMY, and create a festive atmosphere across major districts by combining K-pop and broader Hallyu content. “Our top priority is safety,” said Kim Chang-gyu, head of Seoul’s Balanced Development Headquarters. “We also aim to turn this into an opportunity to showcase Seoul’s global appeal and establish Gwanghwamun Square as a landmark for K-pop culture.” 2026-01-23 07:18:35
  • BTS countdown begins as album drop, Gwanghwamun street show take shape
    BTS countdown begins as album drop, Gwanghwamun street show take shape SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) — The countdown has begun. Global K-pop phenomenon BTS is preparing a long-awaited return — not on a closed stadium stage, but potentially on the streets of central Seoul — as the group plans to unveil new music for the first time in nearly four years ahead of its upcoming ARIRANG world tour. The focal point of the comeback calendar is March 20, when BTS is set to release a new album and make its first public appearance as a full seven-member group since 2022. The performance is planned for the Gwanghwamun area, a dense civic and cultural hub surrounded by government offices, royal palaces and major tourist sites. Authorities have granted conditional approval for the event, though the precise venue and timing remain under review due to safety considerations. The date falls on a Friday during business hours, complicating crowd-control planning in one of Seoul’s busiest districts. Even so, anticipation is already reshaping travel behavior. According to Hotels.com on Wednesday, inbound travel searches to South Korea surged within 48 hours of the world tour announcement on January 13. Compared with the previous week, searches for Seoul jumped 155 percent, while Busan spiked 2,375 percent. By country, demand for Seoul was led by Japan, where searches rose 400 percent, followed by Taiwan (260 percent), Hong Kong (170 percent) and the United States (95 percent). For Busan, Japan again topped the list, with searches soaring 10,545 percent, while Hong Kong rose 7,100 percent, Taiwan 1,275 percent and the United States 835 percent. The online surge is already translating into fully booked rooms. “We have seen a noticeable increase in online bookings for the period around the Gwanghwamun performance,” said Kim Jae-heon, a hotel manager in Seoul. The spillover effect is visible across other tour cities as well. According to the Goyang city government, 820 rooms at nearby accommodations — including Sono Calm Goyang — sold out shortly after the tour dates were announced. At the same time, prices are rising sharply. Listings on Agoda show that one hotel near a concert venue priced rooms at 76,000 won per night as of early June, but raised the rate to 587,000 won for the concert date — nearly an eightfold increase. The combination of search spikes, rapid sell-outs and abrupt price hikes underscores the scale of BTS’s return — not just as a cultural event, but as a nationwide economic ripple already visible in real-world data. Online, the sense of anticipation is equally intense. On social media platform X, international fans are amplifying the countdown with posts blending humor, encouragement and ticketing anxiety. One fan wrote that “there is no bad seat at a BTS concert,” sharing footage from upper-level seats while praising the synchronized glow of the “ARMY Bomb” light sticks. Others posted parody videos pretending to sneak into venues disguised as security staff, only to burst into dance once the music starts. Still, excitement comes with pressure. “Future me is happily vibing at a BTS concert right now,” one user wrote, “while present me is going bald from the stress of getting tickets.” Whether on the streets of Gwanghwamun or thousands of kilometers away, fans are now united by a single calendar — counting down to a return that is already moving markets before the first note is played. 2026-01-22 17:58:51
  • KOSPI hits historic 5,000-point milestone, following Trumps tariff relief
    KOSPI hits historic 5,000-point milestone, following Trump's tariff relief SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI crossed the historic milestone of 5,000 points, just minutes after the day's trading began on Thursday. The milestone, which came for the first time since the country's stock market began trading some 70 years ago, was followed by gains on the Wall Street after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would not proceed with previously threatened tariffs on European countries, easing global trade uncertainty. The rally expanded beyond semiconductors, with gains spreading to other major sectors. The junior KOSDAQ also rose 1.38 percent, reaching 964.40 by around 11 a.m. Individuals bought a net 127.3 billion won ($86.8 million), joined by institutions with net purchases of 28.5 billion won, while foreign investors sold a net 202 billion won. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 3.81 percent to 153,200 won, SK hynix advanced 3.38 percent to 765,000 won, and LG Energy Solution gained 4.69 percent to 413,000 won. Samsung Life Insurance rose 1.6 percent to 177,500 won, while Samsung Biologics dropped 4.27 percent to 1,793,000 won. Auto-related stocks were mixed, Hyundai Motor advanced 1.91 percent to 559,500 won, continuing its upward momentum, while Kia down 1.69 percent to 169,200 won in the early trade. Defense and aerospace stocks declined, with Hanwha Aerospace down 0.99 percent at 1,302,000 won. Shipbuilding-related shares weakened, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries falling 2.54 percent to 615,000 won and Hanwha Ocean sliding 2.05 percent to 138,600 won. Boosted by the KOSPI's historic milestone, the won strengthened, trading at 1,467.30 won per dollar. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares were higher, with the Nikkei 225 Index gaining 1.71 percent to 53,679.48. China's Shanghai Composite rose 0.39 percent to 4,132.97. Hong Kong shares also traded 0.25 percent higher at 26,651.26. 2026-01-22 11:41:12