Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • Hanwha restructuring lifts Korean stocks as Asian shares end mixed
    Hanwha restructuring lifts Korean stocks as Asian shares end mixed SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - Asian equities ended mixed on Wednesday, with South Korea's benchmark index closing at a record high, while markets elsewhere in the region showed divergent performances. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.65 percent to close at 4,723.10. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 0.72 percent to 942.18, as investors rotated selectively between sectors. Market attention centered on Hanwha Group after it unveiled plans to split its businesses, separating defense, energy and financial units from its technology and lifestyle operations. The announcement triggered sharp moves across Hanwha affiliates. Hanwha Galleria jumped 30 percent to 1,622 won, hitting its daily upper limit, while Hanwha Life Insurance climbed 10.4 percent to 3,385 won. Among large-cap stocks, Samsung Electronics gained 1.96 percent to 140,300 won, while SK hynix rose 0.54 percent to 742,000 won. Hyundai Motor added 1.35 percent to 411,500 won, and Doosan Enerbility advanced 2.99 percent to 89,600 won. Losses were seen in LG Energy Solution, which fell 1.1 percent to 389,500 won, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which slid 4.7 percent to 615,000 won. In currency markets, the South Korean won weakened to around 1,475 per dollar. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.48 percent to end at 54,341.23, supported by speculation that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi could call a snap general election as early as next month, a move investors see as raising the likelihood of more expansionary fiscal policy. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.3 percent to 4,125.94, retreating in afternoon trade after earlier gains. Hong Kong stocks were little changed, with the Hang Seng Index edging up about 0.1 percent. 2026-01-14 17:37:52
  • Korean payroll growth stagnates in 2025 amid weak domestic demand, youth job scarcity
    Korean payroll growth stagnates in 2025 amid weak domestic demand, youth job scarcity SEOUL, Jan. 14 (AJP) — South Korea’s labor market held up on the surface in 2025, with employment and participation rates reaching record highs, but stagnant payroll growth, manufacturing job losses and the highest youth unemployment in three years underscored lingering fragility, government data showed Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the number of employed people aged 15 and older reached 28.769 million in 2025, up 193,000, or 0.7 percent, from the previous year. Payroll gains have remained below 200,000 for a second consecutive year, reflecting sluggish economic growth of around 1 percent or less. The employment rate for those aged 15 to 64 rose to 69.8 percent, the highest on record under OECD standards. The overall employment rate stood at 61.5 percent, up 0.1 percentage point from a year earlier and the best level since data collection began in 1963. Despite the strong headline figures, conditions worsened for younger workers. The employment rate for those aged 15 to 29 fell to 45.0 percent in 2025 from 46.1 percent a year earlier, while the youth unemployment rate rose to 6.1 percent from 5.9 percent, the highest in three years. Job losses were concentrated in key industries. Employment in construction fell 6.1 percent year on year, reflecting a prolonged sectoral downturn, while manufacturing employment declined 1.6 percent. The number of “idled” people — those neither working nor actively seeking employment — continued to rise, increasing from 2.351 million in 2023 to 2.467 million in 2024 and further to 2.555 million in 2025. By age group, the idled population increased by 19,000 among those in their 20s and by 67,000 among those aged 60 and older, highlighting growing difficulties for young people entering the labor market. The share of discouraged job seekers — those who have given up looking for work — within the economically inactive population also climbed steadily, from 14.5 percent in 2023 to 15.3 percent in 2024 and 15.8 percent in 2025. December data were largely in line with the full-year trend. Employment rose by 168,000 from a year earlier to 28.2 million, slowing from a gain of 225,000 in November. The youth employment rate was unchanged from the previous month, extending a period of weakness. Construction and manufacturing — sectors that account for a large share of regular jobs — each shed about 63,300 positions in December, reinforcing concerns over the durability of job creation amid weak domestic demand. 2026-01-14 14:32:57
  • Rigorous Korean hair formula behind perfect K-drama hair fuels global sales
    Rigorous Korean hair formula behind perfect K-drama hair fuels global sales SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) — Long, glossy black hair catching the light as it moves in the breeze has become a familiar image of Korean heroines in romantic dramas. The look has captivated global audiences — and it is translating into booming overseas sales of Korean hair-care products. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), cosmetics exports reached a record $11.4 billion in 2025, up 12.3 percent from a year earlier. The United States and Japan ranked as the two largest destinations, accounting for $2.2 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. That momentum is increasingly visible in hair care. Trade data based on HS Code 33.05 show that Korean hair-care exports totaled about $471 million in the 12 months through November 2025. The United States remained the largest market at roughly $103 million, and also the fastest-growing, with shipments rising by about $35 million between 2023 and 2024. Search data point to the same trend. Google Trends shows steady growth in global searches for “Korean hair care” throughout 2025, with notable spikes mid-year and particularly strong interest in countries such as Qatar, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, underscoring rising international curiosity. That curiosity is no accident. Industry research from Grand View Research indicates that global hair-care demand is shifting toward function-driven products, especially those focused on scalp health and damage repair — segments where premium formulations are growing fastest. Korean hair care closely follows the science-backed logic of K-beauty itself: prevent, treat and heal, with specialized products for each step rather than a single all-purpose solution. The shift is already showing up in company earnings. The Skin Factory Co., which operates the hair-care brand Kundal, posted estimated revenue of 124.1 billion won ($84.6 million) last year, up 6 percent from a year earlier. Overseas sales accounted for about 52 percent of total revenue, surpassing domestic sales for the first time. Wyatt Corp., owner of shampoo brand Dr.FORHAIR and hair-treatment label UNOVE, also reported record sales, crossing 100 billion won in annual revenue for the first time since its founding. “As K-beauty gained popularity in markets like the U.S. and Japan, hair products naturally followed,” said Kwon Kyu-seok, chief executive officer of Wyatt. “Rising overseas demand played a decisive role in pushing our sales beyond 100 billion won.” Once a supporting category, hair care is now emerging as a core export engine of K-beauty — powered as much by laboratory formulas as by the effortless shine seen on screen. 2026-01-13 17:58:31
  • Japans snap election prospects lift Nikkei, boosting Asian markets
    Japan's snap election prospects lift Nikkei, boosting Asian markets SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Asian stock markets opened higher on Tuesday, led by a surge in Japan's Nikkei 225 amid speculations of a snap election in Tokyo. The vote is expected to strengthen Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's expansionary fiscal policies, boosting investor sentiment across the region. The Japanese index jumped about 3.4 percent to around 53,720 in early morning trade, buoyed by gains in exporters and technology shares. The rally helped lift broader Asian markets, as investors continued to favor stocks related to robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other technologies even after this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) wrapped up last week. In Seoul, the KOSPI opened higher, hitting a fresh all-time high of 4,666 shortly after trading began, up about 0.9 percent from the previous session, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped roughly 0.1 percent to around 949.1. Among blue-chip stocks, Samsung Electronics rose about 0.5 percent to around 139,500 won, while LG Energy Solution gained roughly 0.8 percent to about 382,000 won. Shares of automakers were among the top performers, with Hyundai Motor surging approximately 7.6 percent to around 395,000 won, extending its rally for three consecutive days after unveiling its physical AI and autonomous driving at the CES. Defense-related shares also remained strong, with Hanwha Aerospace rising about 1.7 percent to around 1,233,000 won. Lotte Innovate also moved higher after unveiling plans to integrate its proprietary "i.MEMBER" AI platform into humanoid robots developed by China's Unitree, also showcased at the CES. But the South Korean won weakened against the greenback, trading at around 1,472 per dollar. Elsewhere in Asia, most markets remained higher, with some mixed results in early trading, while China's Shanghai Composite slipped about 0.6 percent to around 4,141 as investors took profits following the recent rally. 2026-01-13 11:21:58
  • Sweet, stretchy, but Dubais chewy cookie craze leaves a sticky mark on prices
    Sweet, stretchy, but Dubai's chewy cookie craze leaves a sticky mark on prices SEOUL, January 12, 2026 (AJP) — South Korea has a new dessert obsession, and it doesn’t crumble quietly. The Dubai Chewy Cookie, locally nicknamed dujjonku, is selling quite literally like hot cake — except hotter, thicker and far more Instagrammable. What began as a café novelty has now spilled across menus nationwide, with sushi joints and sandwich shops alike slipping the chewy chocolate slab into delivery apps, as if dessert were now a compulsory add-on to every meal. Search interest reflects the sugar rush. Google Trends data show queries for “dujjonku” surging over the past 90 days, with some regions hitting a peak index of 100 in early January — a level usually reserved for election nights or celebrity scandals. For the uninitiated: yes, the dessert traces its name to Dubai. But what Korea is eating today is less a faithful import than a full-scale reinterpretation. The craze took off last September after IVE’s Jang Won-young posted about the dessert on social media. As often happens in Korea’s tightly wired influencer ecosystem, one post was enough. Others followed. Cafés rushed to recreate it. Within weeks, the chewy cookie was no longer exotic — it was everywhere. The dessert borrows from Middle Eastern sweets, combining crisp kadaif pastry, pistachio cream and cocoa powder. But the Korean version leans into exaggeration. Wrapped in a marshmallow-like chew, the cookie favors thickness over delicacy, volume over restraint. If the original “Dubai chocolate” was elegant, the chewy cookie is maximalist. Its appeal is as visual as it is edible. The dramatic cross-section, the audible crack, the slow stretch — all play perfectly to short-form video platforms, where desserts are judged less by taste than by how spectacularly they break apart on camera. “Dessert trends in Korea consistently favor abundance,” said food critic Lee Yong-jae. “Visual overwhelmingness often matters more than balance or subtlety of flavor.” Food columnist Jeong Dong-hyun points to Korea’s unusually flexible food culture. “Unlike Europe, Korea does not cling strongly to the ‘original form’ of food,” he said. “That allows dishes to be endlessly reinterpreted to suit local tastes — and entirely new foods to be created.” The sugar rush is translating into real money. At Paris Baguette’s Louvre flagship near Gwanghwamun, staff say the chewy cookie has climbed rapidly into top-seller territory. “We sell around 4,000 to 5,000 units a day,” said Sandy Lim, a café employee in her 50s, noting that foreign customers account for a larger share on weekends. But sweetness has a price. The Dubai Chewy Cookie relies heavily on imported ingredients, particularly pistachios and specialty pastry components, whose costs fluctuate with global supply conditions. As these ingredients spread across café menus, their price tags are quietly filtering into everyday food costs. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, food and dining-out prices have been rising faster than overall inflation in recent months — a reminder that even viral desserts can leave a macroeconomic aftertaste. In that sense, dujjonku offers a bite-sized lesson in demand-driven inflation: when trends go viral, costs don’t stay contained. At 7,000 to 8,000 won per piece, the chewy cookie now costs more than a burger set — or a modest weekday lunch. Sweet, stretchy, and a little expensive, Korea’s favorite new dessert may be indulgent — but it is also, quietly, inflationary. 2026-01-12 17:54:26
  • Asian stocks start week buoyant, led by Seoul and Tokyo
    Asian stocks start week buoyant, led by Seoul and Tokyo SEOUL, January 12 (AJP) — Asian equity markets opened the week on a strong note Monday, with Seoul and Tokyo leading gains as optimism over robotics and artificial intelligence continued to lift technology and industrial value chains across the region following last week’s CES showcase. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.6 percent to 51,939.9 in early trading, supported by gains in exporters and technology shares amid a weaker yen and renewed optimism over global demand. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 1.3 percent to 4,646.7 as of 10:17 a.m., extending last week’s rally after the index broke above the 4,500 mark for the first time. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ added 0.8 percent to 955.3. Investor flows were mixed. Individual investors were net buyers of about 311.8 billion won ($231 million), while foreign investors sold roughly 439.4 billion won and institutions added around 74.0 billion won, according to exchange data. Among large caps, Samsung Electronics gained 0.9 percent to 140,900 won, while SK hynix climbed 1.9 percent to 758,000 won, extending gains on expectations of sustained demand for high-performance memory used in artificial-intelligence servers. Defense-related stocks also moved higher. Hanwha Aerospace rose 0.7 percent to 1,229,000 won amid expectations of increased global defense spending and persistent geopolitical tensions. Hanwha Ocean stood out among gainers, surging 9.2 percent to 146,800 won, as investors priced in stronger earnings prospects driven by rising LNG carrier prices and potential offshore plant orders. Doosan Enerbility advanced 5.1 percent to 88,700 won. “LNG carrier prices are expected to rise further this year, while several offshore projects are scheduled for order decisions in the first half,” said Kim Dae-sung, an analyst at DS Investment & Securities. “These factors could significantly improve profitability.” In currency markets, the Korean won weakened past 1,460 per U.S. dollar, giving back year-end gains amid authorities’ efforts to stabilize the market and renewed dollar strength entering the new year. Elsewhere in Asia, China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.9 percent to 4,120.4, as selective buying returned to industrial and state-owned enterprises. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was slightly lower in early trade, with financial shares under mild pressure. 2026-01-12 11:44:29
  • After a string of EV contract losses, LG Energy Solution reports Q4 loss
    After a string of EV contract losses, LG Energy Solution reports Q4 loss SEOUL, January 9 (AJP) - LG Energy Solution, having endured multiple headwinds including a labor raid at its U.S. plant and the cancellation of major battery supply contracts, swung to an operating loss in the fourth quarter, even as full-year profit more than doubled on strong data-center-driven demand for energy storage systems. In preliminary earnings released Friday, the South Korean battery maker reported full-year operating profit of 1.35 trillion won ($1.0 billion) for 2025, more than doubling from 575.4 billion won in 2024. Full-year revenue came to 23.67 trillion won, down 7.6 percent from a year earlier. For the October–December quarter, the company posted an operating loss of 122.0 billion won, compared with a loss of 225.5 billion won a year earlier, while quarterly revenue slipped 4.8 percent year on year to 6.14 trillion won. Excluding tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, the fourth-quarter operating loss widened to 454.8 billion won, translating into a negative margin of 7.4 percent. The figures are preliminary and may change following audits of overseas subsidiaries and affiliates. LG Energy Solution said it will release final results, including net profit and a detailed breakdown by business division, later this month. The poor quarterly results follow a string of setbacks in the company’s electric-vehicle battery business. LG Energy Solution last month terminated a 3.9 trillion won ($2.7 billion) battery supply contract with Freudenberg Battery Power Systems, marking the second major cancellation after it ended a 9.6 trillion won battery supply contract with Ford Motor Co. The two cancellations bring the total value of terminated contracts in December to 13.5 trillion won—equivalent to more than half of the company’s annual revenue of 25.6 trillion won recorded in 2024. The company also suffered a disruption at its battery plant construction site in Georgia in September, when U.S. authorities conducted a large-scale labor raid that led to the arrest of 475 workers and a temporary halt to construction. Shares ended Friday 0.8 percent down at 363,000 won. 2026-01-09 15:54:56
  • Asian stocks mostly in the positive on chip and robotics expectations
    Asian stocks mostly in the positive on chip and robotics expectations SEOUL, Jan. 9 (AJP) —Asian stocks kept to the positive despite profit-taking offensive Friday on halo effect from regional chip and robotics strengths. The KOSPI swung back and forth the positive and negative as foreigners took profits. As of11;30, the KOSPI was 0.4 percent higher at 4,571.36 and the KOSDAQ nearly flat at 944.75. Retail investors were net buyers of about 615.1 billion won ($458 million), while institutions bought roughly 277.5 billion won. Foreign investors, however, sold around 928.4 billion won, weighing on the broader market. Among major stocks, Samsung Electronics fell 1.1 percent to 137,200 won, while SK hynix slid 1.0 percent to 739,000 won, reflecting profit-taking after their recent rally. LG Electronics sank 4 percent after it reported its first quarterly operating loss in the fourth quarter of 2025. By contrast, defense shares extended gains. Hanwha Aerospace jumped 6.7 percent to 1,163,000 won ($870) on sustained buying tied to expectations of increased global defense outlays. Hyundai Motor rose 0.6 percent to 348,000 won, bucking the broader market weakness. Hanwha Ocean gained 0.7 percent to 130,900 won, while Doosan Enerbility climbed 0.4 percent to 84,300 won. In internet and industrial names, NAVER added 0.2 percent to 254,500 won, and Samsung Heavy Industries rose 0.4 percent to 27,900 won. Entertainment stocks moved lower as investors reassessed near-term expectations following recent volatility linked to China-related policy signals. HYBE fell 1.5 percent to 330,500 won, while JYP Entertainment slid 2.5 percent to 69,600 won. SM Entertainment dropped 1.7 percent to 115,900 won, and YG Entertainment declined 0.4 percent to 67,900 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7 percent in morning trade, rebounding from the previous session as buying interest returned to large-cap exporters. China’s Shanghai Composite was marginally higher, while Hong Kong shares also traded firmer in early dealings. 2026-01-09 11:45:57
  • South Korean street-food chain captivates Singaporean palates with tailored approach
    South Korean street-food chain captivates Singaporean palates with tailored approach SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) - Snack-food chain Ssada Gimbap has achieved 4 billion won ($3 million) in annual sales in Singapore in just three years since making its entry into the Southeast Asian country. According to the affordable street-food chain, the key to its success lies in its deliberate strategy of gradually opening outlets in key locations. Starting with its first outlet in Bukit Timah, home to one of the largest South Korean communities there, in June 2023, the chain gradually opened additional outlets to lay the foundation for promoting the brand through word of mouth among South Korean expats. Its second outlet, opened just a year later, is located at Great World City, a large shopping mall near the posh River Valley area, home to many foreign expatriates and high-income locals. The chain then opened its third outlet in a newly built shopping mall in Lentor, a residential area with a large population, in a bid to attract more customers. QR code-based ordering also enhances convenience for customers while reflecting local dining trends in the tech-savvy country in Asia. Another key driver of sales growth also appears to be its carefully selected menu, which caters to local tastes. Stew made with soft tofu, in particular, has become especially popular among Chinese Singaporean customers, who make up the majority of the population. Its spicy yet rich flavor captivated many local diners, making it one of the brand's signature dishes. A couple of cold noodle dishes, with some variations, have also delighted many locals’ palates due to Singapore's hot and humid climate, as more and more customers want to try them. The popularity of its dishes has also prompted more Singaporeans to travel to Seoul to taste the authentic versions. "The success of Ssada Gimbap in Singapore demonstrates that Korean food has a competitive edge in one of the world's pickiest markets and other foreign countries, if it comes with strategies tailored to local tastes rather than simply serving food," said one market insider. Ssada Gimbap plans to further expand its market presence across Singapore while also exploring other countries like Malaysia. 2026-01-08 17:48:03
  • KOSPI opens higher, briefly surpasses 4,600 mark
    KOSPI opens higher, briefly surpasses 4,600 mark SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) – The South Korean stock market opened higher on Thursday, with the benchmark KOSPI surpassing the 4,600 mark for the first time, as major chipmakers extended gains and retail investors poured into large-cap shares. About an hour after the market opened, the KOSPI soared 1.4 percent from the previous session to 4,615.70, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.1 percent to 946.46. Investors showed a clear divergence in early trade as retail investors bought a net 2.23 trillion won ($1.65 billion), while foreign and institutional investors sold roughly 0.15 trillion won and 2.71 trillion won. Among blue-chip stocks, Samsung Electronics slipped 0.7 percent to 140,000 won ($105) after hitting a fresh 52-week high of 144,400 won the previous day. However, it remains in a strong upward trend, rising roughly 176 percent from its previous low of 50,800 won in February last year and more than doubling over the past year. SK hynix rose 0.5 percent to 746,000 won ($561), recovering from early losses and hovering near its recent record high, as strong demand for high-bandwidth memory continued to support the stock. The outlook was further bolstered by comments from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who said demand for advanced memory remains overwhelming and highlighted close cooperation with suppliers on next-generation HBM4. Hana Securities said semiconductors are expected to account for roughly 47 percent of KOSPI's net profit over the next 12 months, led by strong earnings growth at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, while the sector’s forward valuation remains relatively low despite the recent rally. Hyundai Motor fell 1.6 percent to 345,000 won ($259), giving back part of the previous session’s sharp gains, which had been driven by optimism over its AI and robotics strategy unveiled at this year's CES currently underway in Las Vegas. The drop was widely seen as profit-taking following the recent surge, rather than a change in the underlying outlook. Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.7 percent to 51,577.20, while China's Shanghai Composite edged up 0.1 percent to 4,085.77. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was largely flat in Hong Kong, with Hang Seng Bank steady at 153.80 HKD ($19.7), as investors took a cautious stance ahead of upcoming policy and earnings announcements. 2026-01-08 11:44:12