Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • KOSPI touches landmark 5,000 mark
    KOSPI touches landmark 5,000 mark SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI in its 46-year history has touched the 5,000 mark Thursday from strong retail push. The four-digit milestone was reached just two months after the index broke above 4,000, reflecting accelerating momentum fueled by strong domestic participation. After pausing briefly following a 12-day uninterrupted rally, the KOSPI rebounded as easing geopolitical tensions — triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of Greenland-related threats — boosted global risk appetite after overnight gains on Wall Street. Retail investors bought more than 300 billion won worth of shares in early trading. Gains were led by heavyweight stocks including Hyundai Motor, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The KOSPI opened 1.57 percent higher from the previous session at 4,987.06 and quickly breached the 5,000 threshold in early dealings. As of 9:06 a.m., the index was up 2.06 percent at 5,011.09. The milestone comes roughly two and a half months after the KOSPI first closed above 4,000 in October last year. 2026-01-22 09:52:20
  • KOSPI closes higher as won strengthens amid mixed Asian markets
    KOSPI closes higher as won strengthens amid mixed Asian markets SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Asian stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday as U.S. tariff threats rattled investors, with signs of a broader "sell America" trend adding to volatility across the region. In Seoul, the KOSPI swung more than 100 points before finishing at 4,909.93, up 0.49 percent from the previous session, while the KOSDAQ dropped 2.57 percent to 951.29. Individuals offloaded a net 996.5 billion won ($675 million), while foreign investors and institutions purchased net amounts of 439.5 billion won and 321.6 billion won, respectively. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 2.96 percent to 149,500 won, while SK Hynix fell 0.40 percent to 740,000 won, Samsung Biologics dropped 2.45 percent to 1,873,000 won, Samsung Life Insurance slipped 0.29 percent to 174,700 won, and LG Energy Solution declined 2.11 percent to 394,500 won. Auto-related stocks traded higher, led by Hyundai Motor, which surged 14.61 percent to 549,000 won, continuing its upward momentum. Kia also gained 5 percent to 172,100 won. Defense and aerospace stocks also traded higher, with Hanwha Aerospace up 0.46 percent at 1,315,000 won. Shipbuilding-related shares weakened, with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries falling 1.56 percent to 631,000 won and Hanwha Ocean sliding 3.81 percent to 141,500 won. The won, which traded at 1,481.4 per dollar earlier in the morning, strengthened to 1,469.40 later in the day, buoyed by remarks from President Lee Jae-myung, who said he would seek to ease concerns over foreign-exchange volatility. Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares pulled back, with the Nikkei 225 Index down 0.41 percent to close at 52,774.64, as investors weighed political uncertainty due to a looming snap election along with tax relief proposals as an election sweetener. 2026-01-21 17:27:33
  • Vietnams U-23 title bid halted by China in semi-finals
    Vietnam's U-23 title bid halted by China in semi-finals SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Vietnam's bid to replicate its historic 2018 run under South Korean leadership ended in the semi-finals of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup on Wednesday, following a 3-0 defeat to China. The loss at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City denies head coach Kim Sang-sik a shot at the title in his first major tournament. Kim had been tasked with reviving a program defined by his compatriot and predecessor, Park Hang-seo, widely revered as a national hero in Vietnam for launching a golden era of football success. Eight years after Park guided Vietnam to a shock runner-up finish, the 2026 squad held firm through a goalless first half but collapsed after the break. Vietnam conceded three times in the second half and finished with 10 men following a red card. Despite the exit, the semi-final appearance marks a stabilization for the team following the tenure of Philippe Troussier. Kim's appointment was seen as a move to restore the discipline and organization that became the team's identity under Park. Vietnam will now conclude its campaign with a commercially and emotionally significant third-place playoff against South Korea on Saturday. China advances to face Japan in the final on January 25. Japan is chasing a second consecutive and third overall title, while China is bidding for its first trophy at this level. 2026-01-21 10:59:18
  • Asian markets track Wall Street pullback; KOSPI pauses after 12-day rally
    Asian markets track Wall Street pullback; KOSPI pauses after 12-day rally SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) — Asian markets moved lower on Tuesday, tracking an overnight retreat on Wall Street, with South Korea’s KOSPI taking a breather after a 12-day uninterrupted rally. As of 11:20 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI was down 0.61 percent at 4,874.83, pulling back after touching an intraday record high of 4,923.53 earlier in the session. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ bucked the trend, rising 0.45 percent to 971.48. Retail investors absorbed selling pressure from institutions and foreigners. Individuals bought a net 646.7 billion won ($438 million), while institutions and foreign investors sold a net 279.4 billion won and 409.4 billion won, respectively. Most large-cap stocks traded lower. Samsung Electronics fell 2.8 percent to 145,000 won, while SK hynix dropped 3 percent to 741,000 won. Samsung Biologics slipped 0.26 percent to 1,916,000 won. In contrast, Samsung Life Insurance rose 3.71 percent to 173,200 won, and LG Energy Solution gained 1.76 percent to 405,500 won. Hyundai Motor briefly topped a market capitalization of 100 trillion won at the open but later edged lower on profit-taking, trading down 0.83 percent at 476,000 won as of 10 a.m. Kia declined 2.12 percent to 165,900 won. Robot-related shares extended gains in early trade. Doosan Robotics jumped 7.06 percent, or 7,600 won, to 115,300 won, while Hyundai Movex advanced 5.15 percent to 36,750 won. Defense and aerospace stocks also traded higher, with Hanwha Aerospace up 0.75 percent at 1.34 million won. Shipbuilding and heavy industry names moved lower, as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 2.78 percent to 630,000 won and Hanwha Ocean declined 1.21 percent to 147,000 won. In the currency market, the won weakened, with the dollar trading at 1,476.80 won, up 2.30 won from the previous session. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.76 percent to 53,174.78 after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the lower house and called a snap election. 2026-01-20 11:31:45
  • In a weak home market, K-food finds future in overseas
    In a weak home market, K-food finds future in overseas SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - Beneath the global rise of K-ramyeon lies a harsher reality at home: much of Korea’s food industry is shrinking, squeezed by a prolonged domestic consumption slump, rising input costs and a weak currency that has inflated import prices. On the surface, K-food appears unstoppable. Samyang Foods’ Buldak Spicy Chicken Noodles dominate convenience-store shelves worldwide, while Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun has become a staple at major U.S. retailers such as Walmart. But the export boom is far from universal. Samyang Foods now generates 81 percent of its sales overseas, with Nongshim and Pulmuone also posting steady growth abroad. Beyond this narrow group, however, many food makers remain heavily exposed to weak domestic demand. Binggrae, whose Melona brand has become an icon of “K-ice cream” in North America, still derives only 13.7 percent of its revenue from exports as of 2025. That limited overseas exposure has failed to offset falling local consumption and rising costs, prompting the company to offer voluntary retirement to employees across the organization. A similar pattern has emerged among other domestically focused firms. Lotte Wellfood reported a consolidated operating profit of 63.9 billion won in the third quarter of 2025, down 8.9 percent from a year earlier, citing higher cocoa prices and one-off costs linked to voluntary retirement programs. The contrast with export-driven peers is stark. According to the Korea Customs Service, ramyeon accounted for 13.3 percent of total K-food exports last year, followed by seaweed at 10 percent and confectionery at 6.7 percent. Together, the three categories made up roughly 30 percent of total exports — and the companies most exposed to these segments delivered the strongest earnings. Samyang Foods posted third-quarter consolidated sales of 632 billion won and operating profit of 130.9 billion won in 2025, up 44 percent and 49.9 percent, respectively, from a year earlier, driven by surging overseas demand. Nongshim reported sales of 871.2 billion won and operating profit of 54.4 billion won, with operating profit jumping 44.7 percent. Pulmuone also recorded solid growth, with sales rising 6.6 percent and operating profit up 14.4 percent. Industry observers say the outperformance was driven not only by wider distribution but also by consumer engagement strategies centered on social media. “Rather than relying on traditional marketing, we expanded by communicating with consumers through social media-linked campaigns such as the ‘Fire Noodle Challenge’,” said Lee Hye-ryeong, a manager at Samyang Foods. “We organized events like speed-eating contests at schools and other on-site activities, and the distinctive taste of Buldak created a synergy with those efforts. We plan to continue this approach in 2026.” Such direct communication helped turn online buzz into real demand abroad, accelerating Buldak’s expansion into mainstream retail channels. More broadly, analysts say exports have become the industry’s primary growth engine, fueled by rising shipments of ramyeon and beverages to the United States, Southeast Asia and China. Stronger brand recognition, aggressive overseas marketing and localization strategies have allowed leading players to scale beyond the limits of the domestic market. The message is becoming unmistakable. In an era of weak local consumption, the K-food boom belongs to those that treat overseas markets not as a supplement, but as their main stage. For companies that fail to do so, global popularity alone may not be enough to ensure survival. 2026-01-19 18:05:13
  • KOSPI bucks global stock weakness on robotics-led rally
    KOSPI bucks global stock weakness on robotics-led rally SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) — Asian stock markets opened the week on a weaker footing amid rising geopolitical uncertainty, as tensions flared between the European Union and the United States over Greenland. South Korean stocks, however, moved against the regional trend, buoyed by strong gains in robotics-related shares. The benchmark KOSPI opened at 4,829.40, down 0.23 percent from the previous close, but quickly reversed course. As of 11:10 a.m., the index was up 0.9 percent at 4,883.72. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ rose 0.7 percent to 961.3. Retail investors drove the rebound, posting net purchases of 56.6 billion won ($192 million). Institutions and foreign investors remained net sellers, offloading 13 billion won and 118 billion won, respectively. Among blue chips, Samsung Electronics rose 300 won to 149,100 won, while SK hynix gained 16,500 won to 772,500 won. Decliners included Samsung Life Insurance, down 4.10 percent to 163,600 won; LG Energy Solution, down 1.41 percent to 385,500 won; and Samsung Biologics, down 1.39 percent to 1,920,000 won. Hyundai Motor surged 12.59 percent to a fresh intraday high of 465,000 won, extending a rally that has lifted the stock more than 40 percent since the start of the year. Analysts attributed the gains to renewed optimism following CES 2026 and a series of upward revisions to target prices, reinforcing expectations for medium- to long-term growth as the automaker accelerates its transition into robotics manufacturing. Investor sentiment has also been supported by Hyundai’s plan to deploy Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robots at its Metaplant America facility in Georgia starting in 2028 and scale production to 30,000 units annually by 2030. Kia advanced 3.51 percent to 156,400 won. Robot-related shares rallied sharply in morning trade. Doosan Robotics jumped 20.35 percent, or 18,400 won, to 108,800 won, after earlier touching 110,900 won — a fresh 52-week high. The collaborative robot maker’s rally was driven by expectations that expanding orders from North America and Europe will translate into stronger earnings. Defense and aerospace stocks also traded higher, with Hanwha Aerospace gaining 2.31 percent to 1,329,000 won. Shipbuilding and heavy industry shares showed solid momentum, as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 2.09 percent to 635,000 won and Hanwha Ocean added 1.09 percent to 148,600 won. In currency markets, the dollar was little changed at 1,475.1 won, down 0.4 won. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 retreated 1.25 percent to 53,260.73 in morning trading on profit-taking. 2026-01-19 11:30:50
  • From kimchi to cola, everyday eating fuels Koreas chronic disease spike
    From kimchi to cola, everyday eating fuels Korea's chronic disease spike SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - From kimchi to cola, everyday eating fuels Korea's chronic disease spike South Korea exports some of the world’s most carefully engineered products: K-pop choreographed to the millisecond, cars built for global roads, smartphones that set industry standards. Yet when it comes to everyday health, the country is quietly losing control — not in hospitals, but at the dining table. Despite its global image as a land of fresh vegetables and fermented food, roughly one in five Korean adults now lives with hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia — or a combination of all three. These are diseases typically associated with Western lifestyles: ultra-processed foods, excess salt, sugar-sweetened beverages and sedentary habits. Korea, it turns out, has adopted many of those risks without fully shedding its own. According to the latest National Health Statistics released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), sugar intake in Korea increasingly comes from carbonated soft drinks, which ranked second among major sources in 2024. Sodium tells a more culturally revealing story. Salt remains the single largest source of sodium intake, accounting for 15.6 percent of the daily total. Close behind are foods deeply embedded in Korean identity: napa cabbage kimchi and soy sauce. Together, these staples quietly push sodium consumption well beyond recommended levels — not through excess, but through routine. The result is visible in the data. Hyperlipidemia — elevated blood lipid levels tied to diet and inactivity — affected 23.6 percent of adults in 2024, roughly one in four. Diabetes cases have risen even faster: from just over 2 million in 2014 to more than 3.6 million in 2024, a jump of 73 percent. Among people in their 20s and 30s, the increase was sharper still, nearly 80 percent over the decade — a demographic long assumed to be protected by youth and metabolism. It is not that Korea is neglecting the problem. Cholesterol-lowering drugs are effective: among patients receiving treatment, 86 percent manage to keep cholesterol under control. The problem is that only about half of those who need medication actually take it. Diabetes reveals an even wider gap. While six in ten patients receive treatment, only one in four successfully keeps blood sugar within the recommended range. Medication alone, doctors say, cannot compensate for daily habits. “Diabetes is a disease where early management dramatically reduces complications,” said Bae Hong-won, director of the Gangwon Health Examination Center. “But people in their 20s and 30s tend to neglect it, assuming they’re still young. Once it develops, it requires lifelong care.” Experts stress that prevention does not require radical dieting or expensive interventions. Sometimes, it’s about sequence. Professor Cho Young-min of Seoul National University Hospital points to a simple adjustment: eat vegetables first, followed by protein and fat, and leave carbohydrates for last. This order slows glucose absorption and reduces blood sugar spikes — no prescription required. Movement matters just as much. A 15-minute walk after meals, even at a leisurely pace, helps muscles absorb glucose more efficiently, lowering post-meal blood sugar levels. Dietary patterns, however, remain stubborn. Analysis of national nutrition data published in Nutrition Research and Practice found that rice-centered diets were linked to higher triglycerides in men and lower “good” HDL cholesterol in both sexes, reinforcing the connection between carbohydrate-heavy meals and metabolic disease. Recognizing the risk, the KDCA has begun distributing tailored educational materials at workplaces, particularly targeting people in their 30s and 40s — the most economically active group, yet one with relatively low awareness of cardiovascular disease. “To prevent and manage chronic conditions, regular checks of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol are essential,” said former KDCA Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong. “But just as important is practicing healthy lifestyle habits every day.” The illnesses reshaping Korean health are not born in laboratories or genetics. They are born at the table — one familiar meal at a time. 2026-01-16 17:47:18
  • KOSPI soars above 4,800 for first time while Nikkei tumbles
    KOSPI soars above 4,800 for first time while Nikkei tumbles SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - Asian stock markets opened mixed in early trading on Friday, with South Korea's KOSPI hitting a fresh record high, while Japanese shares retreated on profit-taking. In Seoul, the benchmark index rose 0.95 percent to 4,841.81, surpassing the 4,800 level for the first time on record, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ lagged, slipping 0.43 percent to 947.06 shortly after the day's trading began. Strong U.S. labor data kept the dollar firm, pushing the exchange rate for the South Korean currency to around 1,470 won per dollar. With the won under pressure, market attention is shifting to exporters in growth sectors like semiconductors and autos, while banks and insurers face potential volatility. Foreign investors offloaded shares in morning trading, while institutional and retail investors snapped them up. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics jumped 3.61 percent to 149,100 won ($101.2), buoyed by improved investor sentiment following TSMC's record earnings, which showed a sharp rise in revenue and strong profit growth, while SK Hynix rose 1.20 percent to 758,000 won. Samsung Life Insurance surged 6.64 percent to 171,800 won after hitting an intraday record high of 176,400 won, as expectations of additional legislative revisions to strengthen protections for retail investors boosted market sentiment. LG Energy Solution edged up 0.51 percent to 394,000 won, while Samsung Biologics fell 3.31 percent to 1.90 million won. Automakers showed mixed performance, with Hyundai Motor rising 0.12 percent to 422,500 won, while Kia gained 2.75 percent to 156,700 won. Defense and aerospace stocks traded near flat, with Hanwha Aerospace up 0.08 percent at 1.30 million won. Shipbuilding and heavy industry shares weakened, as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 2.06 percent to 618,000 won and Hanwha Ocean declined 1.88 percent to 146,100 won. Japanese shares pulled back, with the Nikkei 225 Index down 0.69 percent at 53,738.18 in intraday trading, as profit-taking following a three-day rally combined with weakness in U.S. technology stocks and renewed yen strength. Elsewhere in Asia, China's Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.25 percent to 3,242.62. 2026-01-16 11:33:06
  • Korea moves fast on Grok as global deepfake backlash grows
    Korea moves fast on Grok as global deepfake backlash grows SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) — South Korea has taken its first regulatory steps targeting xAI’s chatbot Grok, as governments worldwide step up scrutiny of generative AI tools over deepfake abuse and illegal content. The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) on Wednesday sent an official notice to X requesting stronger safety measures for Grok, including tighter controls on harmful content and stricter restrictions on minors’ access. The commission also demanded clarification on Grok’s training data sources, content-filtering standards and accountability structures for services provided to South Korean users. According to Shin Yoon-jae, a deputy director at the KMCC, the notice emphasized that any platform operating in South Korea must comply with the Information and Communications Network Act, including its legal obligation to protect minors. “We have asked X to put safeguards in place and to report what measures it is taking,” Shin said. “At the same time, we are preparing legislation to strengthen safety standards for generative AI. Until then, we are tightening regulatory monitoring and have requested concrete plans to prevent the spread of AI-generated images and videos.” Seoul’s move reflects growing concern that generative AI tools are lowering the barrier to producing illegal and abusive content, particularly non-consensual deepfake imagery. Regulators say conversational AI systems like Grok make it possible to generate realistic images or scripts using simple text prompts, expanding misuse beyond technically skilled actors. This ease of access has fueled the rapid spread of fabricated sexual images, impersonation scams and manipulated visuals, often outpacing platform takedown mechanisms. One of the most pressing risks involves non-consensual sexual deepfakes, including content involving minors. Digital safety groups and law enforcement agencies report that such material can be produced and circulated within minutes, causing lasting psychological harm, reputational damage and, in some cases, extortion of victims. Concerns have also grown over opaque moderation systems. Authorities argue that limited disclosure about training data, filtering thresholds and internal accountability makes it difficult to assign responsibility when harmful outputs occur — a potential violation in jurisdictions with strict child-protection and privacy laws. The backlash against Grok has triggered regulatory action beyond Korea. In the United Kingdom, online safety regulator Ofcom has opened a formal investigation into X under the Online Safety Act, following reports that Grok was used to create and share non-consensual sexual images and content involving children. The probe will assess X’s compliance with duties related to risk assessment, illegal content prevention, privacy protection and child safety. In Southeast Asia, regulators in Indonesia and Malaysia temporarily blocked access to X over the weekend, citing concerns over the misuse of generative AI to produce sexually explicit and non-consensual content. While the United States is unlikely to intervene directly in the near term, experts say international pressure could force platforms to tighten safeguards. “Countries with stronger online safety laws can shape global standards,” said Mary Anne Franks, a law professor at George Washington University. “When enforcement actions accumulate, platforms often respond by raising protections across markets.” In South Korea, officials say the urgency is practical rather than theoretical. Reports of AI-generated explicit content, impersonation scams and manipulated images affecting domestic users have risen, even when the platforms involved are based overseas. Regulators argue that reactive takedowns are no longer sufficient in an environment where AI-generated content can go viral before authorities or platforms become aware of it. 2026-01-15 17:26:46
  • Asian markets mixed; Nikkei retreats after record rally, KOSPI holds ground
    Asian markets mixed; Nikkei retreats after record rally, KOSPI holds ground SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) — Asian equity markets were mixed on Wednesday, with Japanese stocks pulling back after a powerful start to the year, while Seoul shares held firm despite a more hawkish tilt from the Bank of Korea. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.77 percent to 53,923.94 as of 10:23 a.m. local time, as investors locked in profits following an uninterrupted January rally. The recent surge had been fueled by expectations of a snap election that could reinforce Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s stimulus-driven policy agenda. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 0.67 percent to 4,754.66, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ edged down 0.03 percent to 941.90 in early trade. Markets were largely unfazed by the Bank of Korea’s first rate-setting meeting of the year, which kept the base rate unchanged at 2.5 percent for an eighth consecutive month. However, policymakers struck a firmer tone by removing references to “the possibility of a rate cut” in their post-meeting statement, signaling a pause in the easing cycle. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 0.07 percent to 140,400 won ($96), while SK hynix slipped 0.81 percent to 736,000 won. Samsung Biologics climbed 2.39 percent to 1,973,000 won, while LG Energy Solution fell 0.39 percent to 388,000 won. Automakers outperformed, with Hyundai Motor gaining 2.55 percent to 422,000 won and Kia advancing 3.04 percent to 147,350 won. Shipbuilders and heavy industry shares extended recent gains, led by Hanwha Ocean, which surged 3.80 percent to 147,400 won. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 2.44 percent to 630,000 won. The U.S. dollar strengthened 3.1 won to 1,469.60, despite rare interventionist rhetoric from the U.S. Treasury Department echoing Seoul’s concerns over excessive volatility while losing slightly against the Japanese yen. Elsewhere in Asia, China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.11 percent to around 4,121.5 in early trading. 2026-01-15 11:31:25