South Korean stocks soar while other Asian markets mostly flat SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korean shares extended gains Wednesday, outperforming most Asian markets that moved flat to lower amid profit-taking. The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.56 percent to close at 3,883.68, while the KOSDAQ gained 0.76 percent to 879.15. Battery-related shares led the rally after a JP Morgan report showed global energy storage system (ESS) shipments in September jumped 105 percent year-on-year. LG Energy Solution climbed 3.09 percent to 450,500 won ($315.05), and Samsung SDI advanced 1.16 percent to 262,000 won. LG Chem surged 13.01 percent to 391,000 won after British activist fund Palliser Capital said the stock was trading at a 74 percent discount to its net asset value (NAV) — one of the steepest among major South Korean conglomerates. Hanwha Ocean jumped 9.69 percent to 132,400 won, boosted by expectations that its third-quarter operating profit will soar more than 1,000 percent from a year earlier on strong orders for high-value-added vessels. Semiconductor bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which have powered recent market rallies, extended modest gains. Samsung Electronics rose 0.82 percent to 98,300 won, and SK hynix added 0.52 percent to 481,500 won. On the KOSDAQ, EcoPro stood out, soaring 15.15 percent to 87,400 won. The supplier of cathode materials and precursors for secondary batteries has benefited from renewed optimism in the global EV and ESS markets. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended nearly flat, shedding 0.02 percent to close at 49,307.79 after recovering from earlier losses of 0.7 percent triggered by tech sell-offs. SoftBank Group dropped 4.9 percent to 23,700 yen ($156.15), weighed down by concerns over large-scale tech investments including its Stargate initiative. China’s Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.07 percent to 3,913.76 as investors remained cautious amid lingering U.S.–China trade tensions. Taiwan’s TAIEX fell 0.37 percent to 27,648.91. 2025-10-22 17:15:29

Many women still endure severe stress despite expanded infertility support, study reveals SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Despite increased support for infertility treatments many women undergo severe physical and mental stress from repeated procedures, a new study reveals. The study, conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs and released on Wednesday, found that many women often suffer from serious complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, ectopic pregnancies, and multiple pregnancies involving two or more fetuses. Multiple pregnancies, in particular, increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, diabetes, preterm birth, and other complications that can affect newborns' health. Long-term hormone therapy may also raise the risk of borderline ovarian tumors. Psychological distress was pronounced, as most respondents reported that depression and anxiety more than doubled following the procedures. Their mental health worsened with longer or more frequent treatments. Many said they felt frustrated, guilty, and socially isolated, with some even having contemplated suicidal thoughts. Despite these difficulties, only 8.3 percent had sought psychological counseling, indicating a lack of adequate support. Infertility cases in South Korea rose sharply from around 228,000 in 2020 to over 300,000 in 2023, with male infertility surpassing 100,000 last year. As of 2022, the annual number of related procedures reached 200,000 in 2022, with over 780,000 embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The government expanded support by increasing the coverage from 25 times per couple to 25 times per childbirth and also reducing out-of-pocket expenditures from 50 percent to 30 percent for women over 45. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-22 17:05:06

Unscripted diplomacy may steal the APEC Gyeongju show SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Last-minute agenda-setting bustle is in full swing with nine days left until the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit brings together most-watched global leaders to the ancient city of Gyeongju, South Korea. Bets are high on a potential showdown between U.S. and Chinese leaders as stakes on the tariff war go ever higher. The stage sets the first meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, as well as the diplomatic debut for Japan's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. Speculation about an impromptu encounter between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un adds to the intrigue. Unscripted diplomacy may steal this year's APEC, whose official agenda centers on trade, technology and inclusive growth. U.S.-China Summit? The biggest question heading into APEC week is whether Trump and Xi will hold their first face-to-face talks since Trump's return to the White House. Their last meeting took place in Osaka in June 2019 on the sidelines of the G20, months before trade negotiations between the two collapsed. The most recent leader-level contact came under the Biden administration at the 2023 APEC summit in San Francisco. Now, with tariff disputes dominating headlines, attention is again turning to the world's two largest economies. Chinese and U.S. officials are set to hold a high-level meeting in Malaysia this week, interpreted as groundwork for a potential Trump-Xi summit in Gyeongju. Expectations have grown as Washington signals possible movement on the issue. Trump said Monday he expected to strike a "fantastic deal" with China — describing it as a fair and reciprocal agreement similar to those recently signed with South Korea, Japan and the European Union (EU). He added that he planned to meet Xi during APEC in Korea, suggesting the summit could mark their first direct encounter in six years. Seoul's Bilateral Diplomacy with Tokyo and Beijing Working-level talks are also under way for a summit between South Korea and Japan, and discussions are ongoing for a possible meeting between South Korea and China. In Tokyo, Prime Minister Takaichi is preparing for her diplomatic debut. "South Korea is an important neighbor and a necessary partner in tackling global challenges," she said shortly after taking office, adding that she hopes to meet Lee soon. Her remarks signaled Tokyo's willingness to sustain dialogue even under a conservative administration. Still, her right-leaning cabinet has stirred unease in Seoul, where the APEC encounter is seen as the first test of a renewed bilateral relationship. Seoul's summit with China is also on the radar. Since his inauguration, Lee has met with the leaders of the U.S. and Japan but not with Xi, leaving a visible gap in his regional outreach. The upcoming APEC offers a natural venue to change that. "If Xi attends APEC but skips a summit with President Lee, that message would be enormous," said Lee Dong-gyu, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. "It could be seen as Beijing deliberately distancing itself from the Lee administration. But I don't think China would want to damage the relationship to that extent." North Korea: Another Panmunjom Moment? Trump's visit to Gyeongju for APEC has reignited speculation over a possible meeting with Kim Jong-un. The memory of their impromptu handshake at Panmunjom in 2019 — arranged in less than 32 hours after Trump tweeted his willingness to meet Kim — continues to fuel rumors of another "surprise summit," though experts remain largely skeptical. Yoshihiro Makino, visiting professor at Hiroshima University, said the 2019 encounter was preceded by months of quiet coordination between Washington and Pyongyang, something absent this time. "There is no visible preparation, no working-level contact, no back channel between the two countries," he said. "If it happens, it would be purely a surprise encounter — nothing more, nothing less." Still, many agree that Trump's unpredictability makes such speculation impossible to dismiss entirely. Meanwhile, North Korea made sure it remains in the picture by firing multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday – its first launch since Lee took office in June and the first in about five months. The launch, coming just days before the APEC summit, appeared aimed at gaining diplomatic leverage. AJP contacted the White House to confirm whether a Trump-Kim encounter was discussed or included in the president's APEC schedule but has not yet received a response. Beyond the headline meetings, APEC's sidelines are expected to be packed. South Korea is arranging talks with Indonesia and Vietnam on supply-chain and artificial intelligence cooperation, with more diplomatic engagements expected throughout the week. 2025-10-22 16:33:01

INTERVIEW: Solana pivots to Korea as key APAC blockchain hub SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - A passionate crypto community backed by financial stability and regulatory transparency rarely found across Asia-Pacific makes South Korea a key strategic focus for Solana, one of the world’s top five blockchain platforms, according to its regional head. "For us, South Korea within APAC is definitely one of our key strategic focus areas," said Alex Scott, head of Solana Middle East, in an exclusive interview with AJP during the Expand North Star event in Dubai last week. "The country combines strong financial institutions, clear regulations, and a passionate community of builders. Our focus is on connecting young startups with established institutions to strengthen the overall ecosystem." Hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the event is one of the world’s largest tech and startup gatherings, bringing together blockchain innovators and investors from more than 100 countries. Alongside Ethereum, Solana ranks among the most widely used blockchain networks globally, supporting a wide range of digital services — from finance and gaming to enterprise technology — through its fast, low-cost system and native cryptocurrency, SOL. Scott described Korea as "one of the world’s most active crypto markets by participation and volume, with a strong developer base and a vibrant community." He highlighted programs such as the Seoulana Hackathon and Startup Village Seoul as examples of Korea’s creativity and innovation. "It’s where we consistently see outsized energy," he said, calling the country both "a demand center and a testbed for innovation." Scott said Solana’s strategy for Korea over the next 18 months focuses on four main pillars. The first is expanding the real-world use of stablecoins — digital currencies linked to fiat money such as the Korean won or the U.S. dollar. "We’re running proof-of-concept projects with local partners to test QR payments, remittances, and cash-in or cash-out services, while keeping regulations front and center," he said. "One pilot project is helping stores accept stablecoin payments so people can actually spend or withdraw digital money in Korea." He noted that Korea’s won-based stablecoin already leads the Asia-Pacific market, reflecting the country’s growing strength in digital finance. "Korea can be the proving ground for stablecoin utility in Asia," he added. "It has dense merchant networks, powerful super-apps that can scale services overnight, and advanced banks willing to design new payment systems — as long as regulation is built in from day one." The second pillar involves partnerships with financial institutions and tokenization, a process that turns traditional assets such as funds or ETFs into digital tokens that can be traded more efficiently. "We’re working with major financial institutions on tokenized funds and ETF-related products," Scott said. "We help them build the right infrastructure — from secure digital wallets to compliance tools — so they can operate safely and at scale." He cited a new partnership with Shinhan Investment Corp., one of Korea’s largest financial groups. "Through that partnership, we’re expanding Korea’s digital asset ecosystem and bringing more real-world assets onto the blockchain," he said. Solana is also collaborating with asset managers and brokers to develop tokenized funds and secure wallets with built-in KYC and AML systems to protect investors. The third focus area is nurturing Korea’s developer ecosystem. Solana is investing in hackathons, research grants, and training programs to foster what Scott calls a "Korea-first" generation of applications. "These include new tools in finance, CeDeFi — combining centralized and decentralized finance — and creative industries," he said. "These efforts not only attract young developers but also help connect startups with large companies, creating a continuous cycle of innovation between individuals and institutions." The final pillar centers on policy and regulation, ensuring that all Solana projects align with Korea’s evolving digital asset framework. "We’re closely following Korea’s policy framework for stablecoins and digital assets to make sure every project aligns with future regulations rather than operating in isolation," Scott said. "We expect rules around KRW-based stablecoins to advance quickly." He praised Korea’s open approach to innovation, adding, "Korea combines technical talent, strong financial institutions, and a forward-looking regulatory mindset. It’s where we can show the world what digital assets can actually do in real life — not just in theory." Looking beyond Korea, Scott said Solana sees the most promising opportunities across Asia’s finance, gaming, and digital infrastructure sectors. "In finance, stablecoin payments and cross-border transfers are the fastest ways to attract daily users, and that’s where Solana’s speed and low costs make a difference," he said. "In gaming and the creator economy, small digital payments and automatic rewards — for watching, creating, or trading — fit perfectly with Korea and Japan’s strong content industries. And in infrastructure, better wallet systems and secure digital networks for banks and brokers will open the door to larger institutional participation." He noted that Singapore’s blockchain market is driven mainly by institutions with clear licensing, while Japan focuses on gaming and creative industries supported by new Web3 policies. "Korea," he said, "sits between the two — with strong financial players, active users, and an ecosystem ready to lead Asia’s next wave of blockchain innovation." 2025-10-22 16:00:06

South Korea, US discuss visa-related measures to ensure smooth entry of workers SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Another round of working-level meeting between South Korean and U.S. officials was held via Zoom to discuss visa-related issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said on Wednesday. The talks came as the two countries agreed to find ways to ensure the smooth entry of employees and workers for South Korean companies investing in the U.S., following the detention and deportation of more than 300 South Koreans during a sweeping raid in Georgia early last month. Foreign ministry officials along with those from relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups met with U.S. representatives from the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, headed by Jonathan Fritz, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Both sides discussed setting up a dedicated desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to facilitate visa issuance for South Korean businessmen. They also agreed on the importance of devising "practical measures" to ensure the timely entry of eligible visa holders for projects including the construction of factories in the U.S. Wednesday's meeting came less than a month after the first meeting in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 30, which was attended by Kevin Kim, a senior official in the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, reportedly being considered as the successor to Joseph Yun, the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Seoul. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-22 15:58:55

HOT STOCK: Undervalued Hyundai Motor plays catch-up amid tariff hopes SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor is emerging as a comeback play in Asian markets, as optimism grows over a possible U.S. tariff relief deal that could level the playing field long tilted in favor of Japanese rivals. Currently, South Korean car exports to the U.S. face a 25 percent import tariff—10 percentage points higher than the 15 percent levied on Japanese and European brands. Despite the disparity, Hyundai Motor’s shares have surged nearly 20 percent so far this month, closing Wednesday at 261,000 won ($182.56). The stock’s rally outpaced gains of 6 percent in Toyota and 1.8 percent loss in Volkswagen, even as those competitors benefit from lower U.S. duties. Hyundai Motor Group, which also owns the premium Genesis and Kia marques, ranked 33rd in Time magazine’s 2025 “World’s Best Companies” list—up 159 notches from last year—beating out Toyota at 48th. The ranking cited improvements in employee satisfaction, revenue growth, and ESG performance. Last year, Hyundai’s revenue jumped 23 percent to 175 trillion won ($127 billion), with operating profit up 45 percent to 14.2 trillion won. This year, however, profits took a hit from the tariff spike. “Among the top ten KOSPI companies by market capitalization, Hyundai and Kia are the only ones expected to post year-on-year profit declines,” said Kiwoon Securities analyst Shin Yoon-chul. Hyundai’s third-quarter operating profit is estimated to have fallen around 30 percent to 2 trillion won, reflecting the U.S. tariff burden. If the rate drops to 15 percent after an intergovernmental deal, quarterly operating profit could rebound to 2.4 trillion won, according to Daishin Securities analyst Kim Gwi-yeon. Another potential headwind emerged after China restricted exports of automotive semiconductors by Nexperia—one of Hyundai’s key suppliers and a global leader in power semiconductor production. Even so, local brokerages remain optimistic, pointing to Hyundai’s steady shipment performance. The automaker’s global sales rose 3.2 percent year-on-year in the third quarter to 1.04 million units. U.S. sales alone climbed 2.3 percent to a record 257,000 units. Electric vehicle sales, though modest at about 10,000 units, grew 35.2 percent from a year earlier. To sustain momentum, Hyundai plans to introduce a hybrid (HEV) version of its Palisade SUV in North America later this year, followed by a software-defined vehicle (SDV) built on its next-generation Pleos OS platform in 2026. “Profit margin recovery may remain limited through the first half of 2026 amid tariff uncertainties,” said Sangsangin Investment & Securities analyst Yu Min-ki. “But Hyundai’s growing diversity of profit-contributing models will strengthen its resilience going forward.” 2025-10-22 15:54:08

LocknLock concludes global conference in Bangkok SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korean household goods company LocknLock held its annual global conference in Bangkok from Oct. 19 to 21, bringing together business partners from 24 countries. The conference at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel featured presentations on the company's 2026 vision and product plans, LocknLock said in a statement. Partners from Thailand's CP Group, Taiwan's C&J Forest, and Middle Eastern distributor Misbah presented sales and marketing strategies. Chief Executive Young-Sang Yi outlined the company's global expansion strategy during the event. Participants also visited a newly opened LocknLock store at Makro, a retail chain operated by CP Group. LocknLock has been hosting the conference since 2010 in various countries including Germany, Vietnam and China. The company manufactures food storage containers, beverageware, cookware and small appliances. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with CP Axtra, Thailand's largest retail group, in 2025 and partnered with Malaysian multi-level marketing company COSWAY. It also established a branch in India this year. LocknLock plans to expand into Latin America and the Commonwealth of Independent States region in 2026 while strengthening online sales channels in the United States, the company said. 2025-10-22 15:53:35

Next round in Samsung vs. Apple: Galaxy XR joins mixed-reality race SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics unveiled its first mixed-reality headset, the Galaxy XR, on Wednesday in South Korea and the United States, entering the spatial computing race as a more affordable alternative to Apple’s Vision Pro and a sleeker model than Meta’s Quest. Powered by Qualcomm chipset and Google’s Android XR platform as well as Gemini AI assistant, the Galaxy XR is priced at 2.69 million won ($1,800), about half the cost of the Apple Vision Pro launched earlier this year at $3,499, and roughly four times the price of Meta’s Quest 3 at $499. Samsung aims to position the device as an accessible yet high-spec option built on its strengths in chip, display, and ecosystem integration. The headset features dual 4K-level screens, eye- and hand-tracking sensors, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor. It supports multimodal AI input through voice, gaze, and gestures, powered by Google’s Gemini AI embedded into the device. Weighing 545 grams, it is slightly lighter than Apple’s Vision Pro at around 600 grams but heavier than Meta’s Quest 3. Samsung said it worked with Google to ensure native support for YouTube XR, Google Maps, Photos, and Play Store apps adapted for spatial use, and plans to release developer kits by the end of the year. Unlike Apple, which relies on its own silicon and software stack, Samsung partnered with Google and Qualcomm to build the Galaxy XR. Industry analysts say this approach could help speed up app availability but may limit Samsung’s control over the user experience and long-term software updates. “We have been working together at every layer—hardware, software, and how the product comes to market—as one team building a new platform and a new product,” said Juston Payne, director of XR management at Google. Apple’s Vision Pro uses dual 4K micro-OLED displays and its in-house M2 and R1 chips to process spatial video, hand tracking, and eye input, and supports more than 2,000 optimized apps as of September 2025. Meta’s Quest 3, while less powerful, leads global shipments with more than 20 million cumulative unit sales, thanks to its large gaming ecosystem and lower price point. According to industry tracker IDC, about 12 million headsets are expected to ship worldwide in 2025, with Meta holding over 50 percent of the market, followed by Apple at around 15 percent. Samsung has not disclosed shipment targets for the Galaxy XR. Analysts say the key test for Samsung will be whether it can extend XR applications beyond gaming and entertainment. The company has signed an agreement with Samsung Heavy Industries to use XR for shipbuilding and engineering training and has conducted pilot programs in medical education. Demand for Apple’s Vision Pro remains largely confined to the United States and China, while Meta dominates the mass market but earns little profit from hardware sales. Samsung, by contrast, is targeting professional training, design collaboration, and industrial simulation as potential growth areas. The Galaxy XR will begin shipping in early 2026. Whether Samsung can challenge Apple’s dominance at the high end and build a profitable XR ecosystem will depend on app availability, battery performance, and whether consumers see headsets as daily-use devices rather than novelties. The initial response is lukewarm. “People already own phones, tablets, and laptops. I’m not sure it’s worth spending that much money on another device just yet,” said Kim Yeon-ji, 34. Another prospective buyer, Lee Jong-min, 35, said, “I’ve always wanted to try XR, and I’m curious about it. I plan to try it as soon as it becomes available.” 2025-10-22 15:44:37

Korea's telecom trio exposed in widening cybersecurity lapses SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korea's pride as an ICT powerhouse has taken another blow after LG Uplus joined SK Telecom and KT Corp. in suffering major security compromises this year, deepening public concern and demanding sober reckoning over corporate attention to cybersecurity. Security spending accounted for only about 6.3 percent of total IT investments by 773 Korean companies, according to the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA)'s information security disclosure. The global average stands around 11 percent. Among the nation's wireless trio, SK Telecom, which recently suffered a SIM card hacking incident, allocated just 4.2 percent of its IT budget to information security, the lowest among the three. KT spent 6.3 percent and LG Uplus devoted 7.4 percent on cybersecurity in 2024. "We need to break away from past practices. Security officers at companies like LG Uplus tend to have little authority. They're not in core business divisions, so they remain peripheral, but security must be treated as more important and given proper authority," said Kim Ki-hyung, a professor at Ajou University's Department of Cyber Space. Regulations also aren't sufficient, experts add. The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPC) covers details comprehensively but its penalties are slap on the wrist compared to international rules. Europe's General Data Protection Regulation imposes fines for severe data breaches reaching 20 million euros or 4 percent of a company's global annual turnover, whichever proves higher. SK Telecom's fine of 134.8 billion won – the largest under the PIPC – following a major breach this year amounts to just 1.05 percent of the company's annual revenue of 12.8 trillion won last year. "Global standards for data breaches remain far higher than Korea's. Our situation is quite ambiguous," said Kim. LG Uplus became the latest flashpoint when it reversed course Tuesday and agreed to formally report a suspected cyberattack to authorities after initially denying any breach. The company detected suspicious activities as early as July but refused to file mandatory incident reports, arguing that no confirmed data compromise had occurred. "While a data breach has not been confirmed, there are suspicions and circumstances that warrant a proactive response," a company spokesperson said, adding that the on-site investigation launched by the ministry remains ongoing with no confirmed evidence of hacking yet established. Lee Sang-joong, president of the KISA, called the string of hacking incidents as "an unprecedented cybersecurity crisis" and emphasized that "securing digital trust is a national responsibility" during a parliamentary audit at the National Assembly on Tuesday. Lee added that the KISA now plan legal reforms empowering authorities to launch investigations at the first sign of hacking, with significantly heavier penalties for companies that delay or fail to report cyber intrusions. "The data leakages should be viewed as a growth process for South Korea. We have a neighboring country (North Korea) with world-class hacking capabilities, and these incidents should heighten corporate vigilance and drive improvement," said Kim. 2025-10-22 15:43:24

KCCI chief invites new Japanese PM to APEC CEO Summit in letter SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Choi Tae-won, chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has sent a letter congratulating Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on her election as the country’s leader. In the letter, delivered Wednesday, Choi, also chairman of SK Group, expressed confidence that Prime Minister Takaichi’s leadership would “bring new energy to Japan” and foster meaningful progress across the region. He underscored the importance of deepening cooperation between South Korea and Japan as the two nations face shared challenges in a rapidly shifting global trade environment. Marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Seoul and Tokyo, Choi said he hoped the milestone would serve as a springboard for stronger economic ties. He also extended an invitation for Takaichi to attend the upcoming APEC CEO Summit on Oct. 28. Park Il-jun, vice chairman of the chamber, said the summit would be “a meaningful opportunity for Japan to demonstrate its commitment to regional economic cooperation.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-22 15:36:17