Journalist

Choi Yoon-sun
  • Korea IR Council Holds Inauguration Ceremony for New Chairman Kim Gi-gyeong
    Korea IR Council Holds Inauguration Ceremony for New Chairman Kim Gi-gyeong The Korea IR Council said Monday it held an inauguration ceremony for its 10th chairman, Kim Gi-gyeong. According to the council, Kim, born in 1966, earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Seoul National University. He previously served at the Korea Exchange, including as head of the Stock Market Department at the KOSPI Market Division, deputy head of the Management Support Division, deputy head of the KOSDAQ Market Division and head of the Management Support Division. The Korea IR Council began in 2009 as a nonprofit incorporated association established by the Korea Exchange. It has hosted corporate investor relations briefings to support capital market development, operated training programs to cultivate IR professionals and organized IR awards. Through its affiliated Corporate Research Center, it also provides research on small and midsize companies, contributing to a sound investment culture.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:44:17
  • Lino Industrial Shares Slide More Than 14% on News of Major Shareholder Stake Sale
    Lino Industrial Shares Slide More Than 14% on News of Major Shareholder Stake Sale Semiconductor test socket maker Lino Industrial’s shares were down more than 14% on Monday, a move widely attributed to news that its largest shareholder plans to sell a sizable stake. According to the Korea Exchange, Lino Industrial was trading at 106,500 won as of 9:55 a.m., down 14.39% from the previous session. The company said late April 24 that CEO Lee Chae-yoon plans to sell 7 million common shares through after-hours block trades over 30 days from May 26 to June 24. The sale would amount to 9.18% of total shares outstanding and was valued at 863.1 billion won based on the April 23 closing price of 123,300 won. Lino Industrial said the actual price per share could differ, adding that the purpose of the transaction is “asset management through the sale of shares held.” Some in the securities industry have also suggested the plan could be part of preparations to fund gift taxes for transferring shares to his children, citing Lee’s age of 75. Lino Industrial ranks sixth by market capitalization on the KOSDAQ and posted its best-ever annual results last year. On a consolidated basis, revenue rose 33.9% from a year earlier to 372.5 billion won, while operating profit increased 42.5% to 177.0 billion won. Its operating margin climbed 2.9 percentage points to 47.5%, an unusually high level for the industry.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 10:09:51
  • iM Securities Raises Hyundai Steel Target to 50,000 Won on Expected Q2 Rebound
    iM Securities Raises Hyundai Steel Target to 50,000 Won on Expected Q2 Rebound iM Securities said Hyundai Steel's first-quarter results missed market expectations, but forecast a rebound in the second quarter with solid momentum likely to extend into the third quarter. The brokerage raised its target price to 50,000 won from 46,000 won and maintained its "buy" rating. Kim Yun-sang, an analyst at iM Securities, said first-quarter consolidated operating profit came to 15.7 billion won, down 63.7% from the previous quarter and below the market consensus of 44.3 billion won. Kim said the company’s headquarters operations swung to an operating loss of 72.5 billion won, citing lower prices for automotive steel sheet, higher raw material costs and rising scrap prices. Those factors narrowed roll margins in both the blast furnace and long steel businesses, he said. He added that subsidiaries performed steadily, supporting expectations for improved results in the second quarter. Kim said subsidiaries benefited from recognition of unrealized gains at overseas coil centers, improved business conditions and tariff refunds at Hyundai Steel Pipe, and the impact of stronger nickel prices at BNG Steel. He forecast second-quarter consolidated operating profit of 127.0 billion won, up 706.3% from the previous quarter. Kim attributed the improvement to higher hot-rolled steel prices and rising rebar distribution prices, which he said should widen roll margins in the blast furnace and long steel units and return headquarters operations to a profit of 80.0 billion won. Kim said macro factors such as energy costs and interest rates remain unfavorable for steel prices, but global steel prices have recently been firm. He said gains in rebar and hot-rolled prices are continuing, and an increase in automotive steel sheet prices is expected during the third quarter. He projected that these price increases would support solid performance at least through the third quarter. However, he said the recent price rise appears driven by supply factors and may not apply evenly across all products given differing demand conditions by end-use industry. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 08:53:35
  • Stablecoin-Linked Stocks Jump in South Korea on U.S. CLARITY Act Hopes
    Stablecoin-Linked Stocks Jump in South Korea on U.S. CLARITY Act Hopes As the U.S. Congress moves toward taking up the CLARITY Act, a key digital-asset regulation bill, South Korea’s market for stablecoin-related plays is reacting quickly. Expectations that global rules will be clarified, along with domestic policy signals, have helped lift related shares and investor interest. According to the securities industry on the 22nd, investors are increasingly betting that if regulators set standards to classify assets as securities or commodities, regulatory uncertainty will ease and mainstream adoption will accelerate. Analysts also say that if oversight authority is clearly divided, institutional participation could increase and market restructuring could move faster. The mood has been reinforced by the release of guidance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which market participants viewed as a more concrete policy signal. As the direction of global regulation becomes clearer, expectations have spread quickly in South Korea. Attention intensified after Shin Hyun-song, a candidate for Bank of Korea governor, said stablecoins “can coexist with central bank digital currency.” The remark was seen as a shift from the monetary authorities’ previously cautious stance, fueling expectations that institutional discussions could gain speed. With overseas and domestic factors converging, stablecoin-related shares have strengthened in South Korea, with buying focused on payments, fintech and blockchain-infrastructure companies. Funds have concentrated on names seen as potential policy beneficiaries, widening short-term volatility. Many in the market say the rally is not just a short-lived theme trade. They argue that if stablecoins take hold as payment and remittance infrastructure, they could drive broader structural change across the financial industry, supporting a longer-term growth narrative. Still, analysts caution that beneficiaries may differ depending on who issues stablecoins and how regulation is defined, and that expectations and uncertainty are likely to coexist until policy direction becomes clearer.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 16:33:05
  • Aluminum Stocks Jump in South Korea on Fears U.S.-Iran Truce Talks Could Collapse
    Aluminum Stocks Jump in South Korea on Fears U.S.-Iran Truce Talks Could Collapse Aluminum-related shares surged in South Korea on Tuesday, as concerns that U.S.-Iran truce talks could fall apart fueled expectations of supply disruptions and higher prices. According to the Korea Exchange, Sam-A Aluminum was up 23.08% at 72,000 won as of 1:56 p.m., from the previous session’s close. The stock rose as high as 76,000 won during the session. Other aluminum-linked shares also gained, including Choil Aluminum, up 12.94%, Namsun Aluminum, up 2.90%, and Aluko, up 2.53%. In a report Tuesday, Samsung Futures researcher Ok Ji-hoe cited global commodities broker Mercuria as saying the global aluminum market is facing a severe “black swan” risk this year due to the war in the Middle East. Mercuria estimated the aluminum market could face a supply shortfall of at least 2 million tons by the end of this year. The Middle East has about 7 million tons of annual aluminum smelting capacity, about 9% of expected global supply this year. Ok said the U.S. aluminum premium hit a record high of $2,521.5 per ton, while the European aluminum premium rose to $599 per ton, the highest in about four years.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 14:12:18
  • Samchundang Pharm Shares Slide More Than 14% After Exchange Flags Disclosure Lapse
    Samchundang Pharm Shares Slide More Than 14% After Exchange Flags Disclosure Lapse Samchundang Pharm shares fell more than 14% after the Korea Exchange designated the company as an “unfaithful disclosure” firm over a disclosure lapse. According to the Korea Exchange on April 22, as of 10:38 a.m., the stock was trading at 407,500 won, down 14.30% from the previous session. Early in the session, it briefly dropped more than 28% to 342,000 won. The Korea Exchange’s KOSDAQ Market Division said the company was designated for failing to meet disclosure obligations and was assessed five penalty points, according to a filing released the previous day. Samchundang Pharm said it “humbly accepts” the exchange’s designation. The company said the issue stemmed from some information in a specific press release that could be interpreted differently from disclosure standards, adding that it is not directly related to the company’s business structure or performance. The exchange had previously issued a notice on March 31 that it planned to designate the company for failing to make a fair disclosure of outlooks or forecasts related to operating performance. With the latest action, the company’s cumulative penalty points over the past year total five. Under exchange rules, a single case resulting in eight or more penalty points can trigger a one-day trading suspension. If cumulative penalty points over the past year exceed 15, the company may be subject to a substantive review of listing eligibility.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 10:51:15
  • Hana Securities Raises LS Electric Target to 220,000 Won After Record Quarterly Results
    Hana Securities Raises LS Electric Target to 220,000 Won After Record Quarterly Results Hana Securities said April 22 that LS ELECTRIC posted its best-ever quarterly results and raised its target price to 220,000 won from 124,000 won. It maintained its “buy” rating. LS Electric reported first-quarter revenue of 1.3766 trillion won and operating profit of 126.6 billion won. Revenue and operating profit rose 33.4% and 45%, respectively, from a year earlier. Operating profit was roughly in line with the consensus estimate compiled just before the earnings release. Yu Jaeseon, an analyst at Hana Securities, said demand tied to data centers and renewable energy in Korea and overseas is driving continued expansion led by the company’s power business. He added that recurring profit margins would likely have exceeded 10% excluding labor costs booked as one-time expenses. Hana Securities said new orders in the first quarter totaled about 1.1 trillion won, up 27.4% from a year earlier, mostly for extra-high-voltage transformers and switchgear. It expects order growth to be led by extra-high-voltage products in the first half and by switchgear in the second half. Yu said rising investment by big tech companies in data centers is fueling structural growth in the switchgear business. He said the company is expanding products that can support areas such as on-site power generation and energy storage systems, and expects meaningful revenue and orders within the year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 08:24:16
  • South Korea pledges $100,000 in aid to cyclone-hit Madagascar
    South Korea pledges $100,000 in aid to cyclone-hit Madagascar SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - South Korea will provide US$100,000 in humanitarian aid to Madagascar to help the country recover from damage caused by a recent tropical storm, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. Madagascar, an island country off the southeastern coast of Africa, was recently struck by a tropical cyclone that left dozens dead and caused widespread damage including collapsed buildings, disrupted communications, and downed power lines. The ministry hopes the assistance will support recovery efforts in affected areas and help residents return to daily life as soon as possible. 2026-02-26 11:06:26
  • The Kings Warden on track to become Koreas biggest box-office hit after Exhuma
    'The King's Warden' on track to become Korea's biggest box-office hit after "Exhuma" SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -"The King’s Warden" is rapidly emerging as South Korea’s next potential 10-million-viewer blockbuster, signaling a renewed appetite for domestic cinema after a year without a mega hit following "Exhuma" in 2024. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office database, the historical drama drew 581,184 admissions on Friday, ranking No. 1 for the day. Its cumulative audience reached 5,260,595. Given packed cinemas nationwide over the weekend, the cumulative tally is likely to top six million admissions once weekend figures are fully reflected — a milestone many analysts now regard as all but certain. The film is directed by Jang Hang-jun and stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae, and Jeon Mi-do. In addition to box office momentum, audience reviews on South Korea’s leading portal Naver reflect strong viewer engagement. With more than 3,200 real-time audience ratings, The King’s Warden holds a 9.02 out of 10 average score, with: 73 per cent of reviewers rating it 9–10/10, 17 per cent rating it 7–8, and a gender split showing wider female viewer participation (66 per cent) vs male (34 per cent) Such robust ratings point to strong word-of-mouth, particularly among female audiences — a factor that industry observers say is helping sustain box office growth beyond the opening week. "The King’s Warden" reached the five-million mark two days faster than "The King and the Clown", the first Korean historical film to surpass 10 million viewers, and is tracking similarly to "Masquerade", which eventually drew more than 12 million admissions. Unlike many recent releases that peaked early and tapered off, this film’s attendance curve continues to rise, a pattern distributors associate with strong long-term potential. “At this pace, six million admissions look nearly certain, and reaching 10 million is well within reach,” said a senior distribution executive. Released on Feb. 4, the film has benefited from a favorable competitive landscape. With no major domestic blockbusters scheduled through the March 1 Independence Movement Day holiday, The King’s Warden has maintained wide screen availability and high occupancy rates. Set in 1457 during the Joseon Dynasty, the film explores the psychological isolation and daily life of the deposed King Danjong during his exile in Cheongnyeongpo, Yeongwol, and his unlikely bond with a village chief seeking to revive his struggling community. Distributors credit its emotional storytelling and ensemble cast with drawing audiences beyond traditional historical drama fans. The film’s success follows a challenging 2025 for Korean cinema. In 2025, no domestic film surpassed the 10-million-viewer mark, an unprecedented outcome outside of 2021 when theaters were largely shuttered due to pandemic restrictions. The year’s most successful local release, "My Daughter Is a Zombie", drew about 5.6 million viewers. The last Korean film to cross the 10-million threshold was "Exhuma" in 2024. At No. 2 was "Humint", directed by Ryoo Seung‑wan, which drew 100,053 viewers over the same period, with a cumulative total of 1,491,010. The espionage thriller stars Jo In‑sung, Park Jung‑min, Shin Se‑kyung, and Park Hae‑joon. Third place went to No. 1, directed by Kim Tae‑yong, with 6,724 admissions and a cumulative total of 223,399. Unlike many recent mid-range hits that cooled quickly after opening week, "The King’s Warden" continued to add audiences heading into its second weekend — a rare sign in the current theatrical landscape. “The combination of high viewer ratings and strong weekend occupancy gives this film a real shot at reaching the 10-million mark,” said a theater-chain analyst. If current momentum holds, the film is expected to top six million admissions comfortably in the coming days, and early forecasts increasingly point toward it becoming the first true Korean mega-hit in the post-pandemic era. 2026-02-22 11:45:03
  • South Korea, Netherlands hold inaugural 2+2 ministerial meeting in Seoul
    South Korea, Netherlands hold inaugural 2+2 ministerial meeting in Seoul SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korea and the Netherlands held a meeting attended by high-ranking foreign and trade officials from both countries in Seoul on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with their Dutch counterparts David van Weel and Aukje de Vries for the inaugural 2+2 ministerial dialogue. Pointing to a shift in the geopolitical environment with the spread of protectionism, they discussed ways to deepen cooperation across a wide range of areas, including emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and supply chains for semiconductors and critical minerals. They also adopted a joint statement pledging to strengthen strategic cooperation. The next meeting will be held in two years in The Hague. 2026-02-11 15:02:51