Korean materials firm Posco Future M invests in US solid-state battery maker SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - South Korean battery materials and chemicals company Posco Future M has invested in U.S. solid-state battery company Factorial, stepping up efforts to secure a foothold in next-generation battery technology. The company said Tuesday that it has signed an investment agreement with Factorial on Jan. 7 and completed payment on Monday. Posco Future M didn't disclose the terms of the investment. The move builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in November 2025 to jointly develop solid-state battery technology. Massachusetts-based Factorial is regarded as a leading developer of solid-state batteries and is pursuing a U.S. stock market listing. The company is expanding operations through a solid-state battery pilot plant in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. Factorial’s solid-state battery platform, Solstice, is designed to offer higher energy density and improved safety compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes, the company said. Solid-state batteries, which replace liquid electrolytes with solid materials, are widely seen as a potential breakthrough for electric vehicles and energy storage due to their ability to enhance performance while reducing fire risks. Posco Future M said the investment is expected to deepen cooperation by combining Factorial’s global network with its own battery materials technology. The company has been supplying and testing cathode material samples for Factorial’s solid-state batteries, adding that its products were rated highly among multiple suppliers for quality and power performance. The company has materials design and coating technologies optimized for solid-state batteries and that the investment will help it prepare for rapid growth in the emerging market. Factorial, for its part, aims to secure a stable supply of high-quality materials and strengthen manufacturing competitiveness. “Both companies have advanced materials technology through an ongoing, close partnership,” said Hong Young-jun, head of Posco Future M’s research institute. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-27 09:40:44

South Korea pushes bid for Canada's submarine project as economic ties deepen SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - South Korea is stepping up efforts to win Canada’s next-generation submarine contract, leveraging a flurry of industrial cooperation deals and high-level diplomacy aimed at deepening the two countries’ strategic and economic ties. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said it hosted the South Korea–Canada Industrial Cooperation Forum on Monday at the Park Hyatt hotel in Toronto, bringing together business and government leaders from both countries. The event comprised a two-part program: an automotive industry cooperation forum and a South Korea–Canada CEO dialogue. Senior figures in attendance included presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, and Defense Acquisition Program Administration Commissioner Lee Yong-cheol. From the Canadian side, participants included Philip Jennings, deputy minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Victor Fedeli, the Ontario minister of economic development, job creation and trade, alongside other federal and provincial officials. Officials discussed strengthening collaboration in future mobility sectors such as eco-friendly and autonomous vehicles. “The auto industry is a core backbone industry that runs through both countries,” Kim said, emphasizing that South Korea will help both nations’ automakers “seek opportunities together and grow.” In a show of expanding cooperation, six memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed between major firms in key high-tech and strategic industries. They included agreements between Hanwha Ocean and Algoma Steel (steel), Hanwha Systems with Telesat and MDA Space (low-Earth-orbit satellites), Hanwha Ocean–Hanwha Systems–Cohere (AI), Hanwha Systems and PV Labs (advanced sensors), and POSCO International and Torngat Metals (rare earths). The MOU was signed as part of discussions between the South Korean and Canadian governments and companies on industrial cooperation ahead of Canada’s upcoming submarine procurement program. It outlines a concrete model for industrial collaboration that aligns with the Canadian government’s emphasis on local industry participation and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) — the so-called “Buy Canadian” policy. Hanwha Ocean first signed an agreement with Algoma Steel, Canada’s largest steel manufacturer, to support the Canadian submarine project. If Hanwha wins the submarine contract, the two companies will cooperate on building a steel plant in Canada and establishing a stable supply chain for steel products used in submarine construction and maintenance (MRO) infrastructure. Hanwha Ocean will invest approximately CAD 345 million in the initiative. Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems also entered into an artificial intelligence partnership with Cohere, a leading Canadian AI unicorn, to jointly develop specialized AI technologies applicable to shipbuilding and submarine system integration and operation. The collaboration will utilize Cohere’s large language models (LLMs) and large multimodal models (LMMs) to enhance processes across production planning, design, and manufacturing. Hanwha Systems will further collaborate with Telesat, a Canadian satellite communications company, to develop next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications. By combining Hanwha’s expertise in satellite manufacturing and terminal development with Telesat’s satellite network operation and design capabilities, the two companies aim to deliver a globally competitive LEO satellite communication network for both domestic and international markets. In addition, Hanwha Systems signed an MOU with MDA Space to cooperate on defense and security-oriented satellite communications and space technologies, and another with PV Labs to advance electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor technologies for defense applications. A study by global consulting firm KPMG estimated that Hanwha’s proposed industrial cooperation plan for the Canadian submarine project could create more than 200,000 cumulative job-years in Canada by 2040. The ministry said the deals are expected to reinforce collaboration across advanced industrial sectors including steel, defense, space, AI, and rare earth development. During the second session, business leaders gathered for the third South Korea–Canada CEO Dialogue, co-hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries and the Business Council of Canada. Executives from 12 South Korean and nine Canadian companies discussed opportunities in supply-chain resilience and strategic industries. “Our companies already see Canada as a trusted, key partner,” Kim said, adding that stronger cooperation will “enhance supply chain stability, create jobs in both countries, and boost global competitiveness.” Strategic Stakes in Canada’s Submarine Modernization Beyond trade, Seoul’s outreach carries strategic weight. South Korean shipbuilders — notably Hanwha Ocean — are reportedly positioning themselves for Canada’s multibillion-dollar Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), one of Ottawa’s largest and most consequential defense procurements. Canada’s aging fleet of Victoria-class submarines, built in the 1980s and slated for retirement by the mid-2030s, has prompted Ottawa to pursue up to 12 conventionally powered, under-ice-capable submarines under the CPSP. The project, part of the government’s “Our North, Strong and Free” defense policy, reflects growing security concerns in the rapidly warming Arctic, where Russia and China are expanding their presence. “Submarines are crucial to Canada’s ability to defend its sovereignty, monitor maritime approaches, and project power beyond its shores,” said Julie Kim of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. “The CPSP has assessed that the most efficient path forward is to procure foreign-built, Military-Off-the-Shelf submarines that meet Canada’s operational needs.” A Deeper Strategic Partnership If South Korea were selected as a partner, analysts say the decision could mark a watershed in bilateral ties. The two nations upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022, identifying defense cooperation as one of five core pillars. That partnership deepened further with the signing of the Canada–Republic of Korea Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership in October 2025. “With mounting global instability and the shifting dynamics of Canada–U.S. relations, Ottawa is actively seeking reliable defense partners with proven production capacity,” Kim noted. “South Korea has earned a reputation for delivering cost-effective, U.S.-interoperable systems that are already in service with key Western allies.” The Royal Canadian Navy already conducts joint maritime exercises with the ROK Navy through Operation HORIZON and Operation NEON, while also operating together in multinational maneuvers such as RIMPAC and PACIFIC VANGUARD. If Canada were to procure South Korean-built submarines, both navies would share advanced underwater technologies for decades — a move expected to significantly strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and interoperability in the Pacific. 2026-01-27 09:35:14

South Korea convenes emergency meeting after Trump threatens tariff hike SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - An emergency meeting was convened to discuss how to respond after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly threatened to raise tariffs again, Cheong Wa Dae said on Tuesday. The meeting, chaired by presidential policy chief Kim Yong-beom along with key officials from relevant ministries, comes after Trump posted on his own social media platform Truth Social that he would raise reciprocal tariffs from 15 percent to 25 percent, citing delays in their implementation. "South Korea's Legislature is not living up to its Deal with the United States," Trump wrote, citing an agreement reached by the two countries in late October last year. "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%," he added. According to Cheong Wa Dae, there was no prior notice or detailed explanation about that from the U.S. Meanwhile, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jeong-gwan, who is currently in Canada, is expected to head to Washington, D.C., soon to meet with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to figure out reasons behind Trump's remarks. 2026-01-27 09:07:10

BTS world tour triggers global travel surge, boosting Korea tourism SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - Global excitement is building ahead of BTS’s first full-group world tour in more than four years. Fans are moving quickly to secure flights and accommodation to Korea, helping turn “tour tourism” into a major growth driver for the local travel industry. According to global travel platform Hotels.com on January 21, searches for inbound travel to Korea surged in the 48 hours following the announcement of BTS’s new world tour, BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’, on January 13. The spike reflects how global fans’ desire to see the group’s comeback in person quickly turned into travel plans. The surge in interest was also seen in ticket sales, with all BTS shows in North America and Europe selling out. Stadium venues in each region saw seats snapped up shortly after ticket sales opened. The world tour will begin on April 9 at Goyang Sports Complex. All presale dates were sold out. The tour will then move to the Tokyo Dome on April 17. The North American tour will start at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on April 25, 26 and 28, before moving on to cities including El Paso, Mexico City, Stanford and Las Vegas. In total, BTS will perform 31 shows across 12 cities. BTS will perform 31 shows in 12 cities, with extra dates added in Tampa, Stanford and Las Vegas due to strong demand. The Europe tour will begin at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on June 26 and 27. BTS will then perform in cities such as Brussels, London, Munich and Paris, with 10 shows in five cities. The North American tour will be another milestone, with BTS becoming the first Korean artist to hold solo concerts at major U.S. stadiums such as Sun Bowl Stadium, Stanford Stadium, Gillette Stadium, M&T Bank Stadium and AT&T Stadium. The world tour will include 82 shows across 34 cities, marking a record for a single K-pop tour. With more regions yet to open ticket sales and additional dates planned in Japan and the Middle East, the scale of the tour is expected to expand further. Meanwhile, BTS will release their fifth full-length album, ARIRANG, on March 20 at 1 p.m. The 14-track record captures “BTS today,” weaving together themes of identity, love and longing — and marking the start of their long-awaited return. The group's first comeback stage is set for an open urban space at Gwanghwamun in downtown Seoul on March 21, although the details including the time are still being negotiated due to safety issues. 2026-01-27 09:03:33

Korean large firms turn confident about business prospects for the first time in nearly 4 yrs SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) -South Korea’s large manufacturers — most of them export-oriented — turned optimistic about business conditions on strong orders in semiconductors and shipbuilding, even as overall business sentiment softened at the start of 2026, a Bank of Korea survey showed Tuesday. The business sentiment index for large manufacturing firms rose to 101.8 in January, up from 97.7 a month earlier, marking the first time the reading topped the neutral 100 threshold in three years and seven months, according to the central bank’s January business survey and economic sentiment index. A reading above 100 signals optimism, while a figure below that level indicates pessimism. The rebound was led by shipbuilders, whose business conditions index climbed to 107, reflecting strong order books, while sentiment among electronic equipment makers stood at 97, supported by robust semiconductor exports. By contrast, sentiment among small manufacturers remained subdued. Their index rose 1.7 points month on month but stayed at 91.8, underscoring a widening confidence gap between large and small firms. The gap between the two expanded to 10.0 points, the widest since September 2023. “Sentiment improved among large firms led by primary metals, other machinery and equipment, and electronic, video and communications equipment,” said Lee Hye-young, head of the Bank of Korea’s economic sentiment survey team. Industry-level data showed sharp divergence. In terms of current business conditions, shipbuilding and other transportation equipment posted a reading of 112, the only manufacturing sector above 100, buoyed by expectations of increased exports linked to cooperation with the United States. Electronic, video and communications equipment recorded a relatively high reading of 87, reflecting sustained semiconductor demand. Across all industries, however, the composite business sentiment index edged down 0.2 points to 94.0, slipping after three consecutive monthly gains. Manufacturing and nonmanufacturing sectors moved in opposite directions. The manufacturing CBSI rose 2.8 points to 97.5, supported by improvements in production and new orders. The nonmanufacturing CBSI fell 2.1 points to 91.7, weighed down by weaker funding conditions and profitability. Looking ahead, the outlook index for February improved modestly, rising to 95.0 for manufacturing and 88.4 for nonmanufacturing, while the all-industry outlook stood at 91.0. Lee said sentiment in nonmanufacturing sectors often peaks at year-end due to seasonal order concentration, with a slowdown typically emerging early in the year. She added that signs of improvement are emerging for February, led by wholesale and retail trade and arts, sports and leisure-related services, reflecting the Lunar New Year holiday effect. The economic sentiment index, which combines corporate and consumer sentiment, rose 0.5 points to 94.0 in January, while the seasonally adjusted cyclical indicator increased 0.6 points to 95.8. The survey was conducted between Jan. 12 and 19 among 3,524 companies nationwide, with 3,255 firms responding, including 1,815 manufacturers and 1,440 nonmanufacturers. 2026-01-27 08:09:00

Trump threatens to raise tariffs back to 25%, blaming Seoul for delaying tariff deal SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) -U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he is raising tariffs on a wide range of South Korean goods from 15 percent to 25 percent, citing delays in South Korea’s National Assembly approving a bilateral trade agreement reached last year. “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 in a post on Truth Social. It was not immediately clear when the higher tariffs would take effect. Trump said the decision followed South Korea’s failure to ratify a trade package he described as a “Great Deal” reached with President Lee Jae Myung on July 30, 2025, and reaffirmed during his visit to Korea late October. The White House has yet to confirm Trump's remark. Seoul also has not responded. The October understanding was billed by the White House at the time as a sweeping $350 billion trade and investment framework, aimed at expanding U.S. exports and investment flows while easing tariff and non-tariff barriers between the two allies. The package reportedly covered market access in autos, pharmaceuticals and industrial materials, alongside commitments related to supply chains, energy cooperation and long-term Korean investment in the United States. “South Korea’s Legislature is not living up to its Deal with the United States,” Trump wrote, questioning why the agreement had yet to be enacted despite what he called repeated reaffirmations at the leadership level. The tariff hike directly affects key Korean export sectors. Autos are expected to be among the hardest hit, with Hyundai Motor Group the largest importer of South Korean-made vehicles into the U.S. market. Pharmaceuticals and industrial materials such as lumber were also singled out in Trump’s post. A senior-level U.S. delegation is expected to visit Seoul to negotiate the details to the factsheet released in November that differs in some areas with Seoul's separate announcement on the deal. 2026-01-27 07:34:29

Regulator blocks merger plan for Korea's leading car rental firms, citing monopoly risks SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has blocked a proposed merger between Lotte Rental and SK Rent-a-Car, the country’s largest and second-largest rental-car operators, citing concerns that the deal would weaken competition and lead to higher prices. The commission said on Monday it had issued such an order on a filing by private equity firm Affinity Equity Partners to acquire a 63.5 percent stake in Lotte Rental. Affinity acquired SK Rent-a-Car in August 2024 and in March last year agreed to buy Lotte Rental shares held by Hotel Lotte and other shareholders for 1.8 trillion won, subsequently submitting a merger notification to regulators. “The transaction would place the two leading competitors in the rental-car market under the control of a single private equity firm,” the FTC said in a press release. It added concerns were “very large” that competition would be restricted, including through price increases. The FTC said the combined entity would command a 38.3 percent share of the long-term rental-car market and would also become the dominant player in short-term rentals. By contrast, the third-largest short-term rental operator holds just over a 3 percent share, raising the risk of a market structure characterized by “one giant firm versus many small operators,” it said. The commission also said its decision was based strictly on concerns that a private equity firm could dominate the top two operators, expand market power and later seek a high-priced resale, potentially distorting the market. The FTC decision is expected to complicate Lotte Group’s efforts to raise cash. The conglomerate has been seeking to sell the noncore Lotte Rental unit amid weak performance and liquidity strains at key affiliates, including Lotte Chemical and Lotte Engineering & Construction. With the 1.8 trillion won inflow no longer expected, the group will need to revise its broader financial restructuring plans. The decision also undermines Affinity’s exit strategy. The firm had planned to merge SK Rent-a-Car and Lotte Rental to strengthen market dominance, boost corporate value and eventually sell the combined business. It must now pursue a standalone strategy to enhance SK Rent-a-Car’s competitiveness or explore alternative structures to acquire Lotte Rental. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-26 17:34:23

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

Lunar New Year's preparation slightly eases from last year SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - The cost of preparing an ancestral table at traditional markets ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday has been surveyed at 296,500 won(about 205 dollars), slightly lower than last year. According to a survey conducted by Korea Price Information (KPI), a specialized price research agency, on Jan. 25, the cost for a four-person family declined 1.98% year-on-year at traditional markets. Large discount stores also saw a 0.64% drop to 406,880 won(about 282 dollars) compared to the previous year. Prices for fruits and vegetables including pears, jujubes, radishes, and cabbage decreased. This year's Seollal falls on Feb. 17, marking the first day of the first lunar month and the beginning of the new year. It is one of Korea's major holidays, during which families typically perform ancestral rites. 2026-01-26 17:22:12

KOSDAQ steals the day in subdued Asian markets SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - Korea’s secondary KOSDAQ stole the spotlight Monday, surging more than 7 percent as most Asian equities retreated, in a striking display of risk appetite concentrated in higher-beta names. The tech-heavy index jumped 7.09 percent — its biggest daily gain in more than two years — to close at 1,064.4 and return to 1,000-mark in four years. The sharp advance triggered a temporary trading halt under the sidecar mechanism at 9:59 a.m., as program buying accelerated early in the session. Institutions led the charge, snapping up a net 2.6 trillion won worth of shares, while foreign investors added 431.4 billion won. Retail investors were net sellers of 2.91 trillion won, underscoring a rapid rotation of capital out of large-cap defensives and into growth-oriented names. In contrast, the main KOSPI fell 0.8 percent, or 40.5 points, to 4,949.6. The benchmark briefly touched an intraday record high of 5,023.8 before selling pressure intensified in the afternoon, dragging the index below its session low. The pullback followed a short-lived rally that had carried the market higher over the previous week. The KOSPI 200 slid 1.0 percent to 720.04, weighed down by heavy losses in automakers and semiconductor stocks. On the main board, foreign investors sold 158.7 billion won ($110 million), while institutions offloaded 1.54 trillion won. Retail investors absorbed the selling, buying 1.72 trillion won. Currency markets added another layer of volatility. The dollar fell sharply against the won, sliding 14.1 won to 1,441.2, tracking gains in the Japanese yen amid reports that Washington is increasingly tolerant of stronger currencies among key East Asian allies, including South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Sector performance reflected the risk-on tilt. Non-ferrous metal stocks led gains, rising 11.9 percent. Korea Zinc surged 14.4 percent to 1,807,000 won on rising global silver prices and expectations of stronger earnings, while Sam-A Aluminum climbed 12.8 percent and Hyundai BNG Steel advanced 11.0 percent. Battery and platform stocks also posted strong gains. EcoPro soared 23.0 percent to 130,200 won, while Naver rose 2.4 percent to 272,500 won. Samsung SDI added 3.8 percent to 387,000 won. By contrast, logistics and transport-related shares lagged, with the sector falling 3.2 percent. CJ Logistics dropped 3.5 percent, and Hyundai Glovis slipped 3.4 percent. Among large-cap losers, Hyundai Motor fell 3.4 percent, while SK hynix declined 4.0 percent. Elsewhere in the region, markets were broadly weaker. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid 1.8 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite edged down 0.09 percent, reinforcing the contrast between Korea’s speculative surge and a cautious regional backdrop. 2026-01-26 17:19:10