Meritz Securities Maintains 'Buy' Rating on Korea Electric Power Despite Lowered Consensus Meritz Securities reported on May 14 that while the lowered annual performance consensus for Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is putting pressure on its stock price, focusing solely on short-term results could overlook structural improvements. The firm maintained its target price at 65,000 won and its investment opinion at 'Buy.' Analyst Moon Kyung-won noted that KEPCO's operating profit for the first quarter reached 3.78 trillion won, falling short of the consensus estimate of 4.24 trillion won. He attributed this shortfall primarily to a nuclear power utilization rate of 71.0%. He added that while the coal utilization rate was 52.4%, it was insufficient to compensate for the decline. Moon highlighted that the PRS (price-to-earnings swap) costs were lower than expected, predicting that the increase in PRS costs would diminish in the second half of the year. However, he expressed optimism about valuation increases due to the nuclear power business and the consolidation of power generation subsidiaries. He explained that the nuclear power business is progressing in phases, with external service results expected to be released in May or June. Following this, a governance integration focused on nuclear power exports led by KEPCO is anticipated. Moon expects that this will lead to concrete plans for nuclear investments in the U.S. in the second half of the year, and he noted that the selection of a contractor for the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear project in Vietnam is expected by the end of the year. Additionally, he stated that the consolidation of power generation subsidiaries could enhance the company's value. If the government proceeds with the proposed 'Korea Power Generation Corporation Act' to purchase shares from KEPCO's five power generation companies, this process could lead to a reevaluation of the subsidiary's equity value. He also mentioned that the elimination of inefficiencies among power generation subsidiaries, acceleration of energy transition, and strengthening of KEPCO's independence are expected to contribute to valuation increases.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 08:27:48

Bitcoin Falls Below $80,000 Amid U.S. Inflation Shock Bitcoin has dropped below $80,000 due to a shock in U.S. inflation data and a surge in international oil prices.As of 8 a.m. on May 14, Bitcoin was trading at $79,395, down 1.53% from the previous day, according to the global cryptocurrency market site CoinMarketCap.The decline in price is attributed to concerns over inflation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on May 12 that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April rose 3.8% compared to the same month last year, with a month-over-month increase of 0.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis.While the monthly increase matched market expectations, the annual rate was 0.1 percentage points higher than Dow Jones forecasts. This annual CPI increase is the highest recorded since May 2023. The higher-than-expected inflation figures have diminished expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, which likely contributed to Bitcoin's slight decline.Other major altcoins also showed declines. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, fell 0.94% to $2,259, while XRP, ranked third, dropped 1.21% to $1.42. Solana saw a decrease of 3.77%, trading at $91.Meanwhile, at the same time on the domestic exchange Bithumb, Bitcoin was trading at 118.01 million won (approximately $79,206), down 0.34% from the previous day. The so-called 'Kimchi Premium,' which indicates the difference between domestic and international prices, was recorded at -0.16%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 08:25:19

CJ OliveNetworks Begins Development of Orion's Next-Generation Quality Control System CJ OliveNetworks, a specialist in artificial intelligence transformation within CJ Group, has officially commenced the development of a next-generation quality control system for global food company Orion. On May 14, CJ OliveNetworks announced that it will implement a quality control system based on Statistical Process Control (SPC) to monitor and analyze Orion's production equipment and process data in real time. This initiative aims to enhance the early detection of quality anomalies in the manufacturing process and strengthen proactive response systems. The new system will advance beyond the previous method of merely detecting when values exceed set thresholds. It is designed to analyze changes in equipment and process data patterns to identify potential issues before they arise, while also improving the efficiency of quality management tasks through various analytical charts and customized reporting features. Additionally, the system will ensure a stable transition from the existing setup, incorporating an intuitive user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) to enhance convenience for on-site users and maintain operational continuity. CJ OliveNetworks has a wealth of experience and expertise in executing projects in the smart factory and manufacturing AX sectors, particularly within the food and beverage, beauty, and bio-pharmaceutical industries. The company is expanding its AX business across various sectors, leveraging its capabilities in manufacturing and logistics data analysis, process automation, and AI-based operational optimization. The company plans to apply its specialized knowledge in the food manufacturing industry to support Orion in enhancing its quality competitiveness and productivity. Song Won-cheol, head of smart logistics and factory at CJ OliveNetworks, stated, "The establishment of this quality control system for Orion is a case of enhancing quality management in manufacturing based on data and strengthening proactive response systems. We will continue to improve our clients' productivity and quality competitiveness based on our manufacturing and logistics AX capabilities." Meanwhile, CJ OliveNetworks has been expanding its AX business across various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, distribution, finance, and media, and is continuously launching customized digital innovation projects for enterprises.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 08:24:00

School Hiking Club Activities Restricted After Student's Death A fifth-grade student who went missing while hiking alone in Juwangsan National Park was found dead three days later, prompting claims that schools are restricting hiking club activities. Recently, a post titled "Latest K-Accident Response Update" circulated on various online communities. The author of the post, identified as A, claimed, "My younger brother, who is in high school, said that after the Juwangsan incident, the school has indefinitely suspended hiking club activities under the pretext of safety awareness checks." A continued, "We had planned a trip to Jeju Island to climb Hallasan during the Buddha's Birthday holiday, but the funding was also canceled," adding, "They said they can't prevent personal trips to the mountain, but to do it discreetly." A expressed disappointment, stating, "Climbing Hallasan was an event we had been preparing for and looking forward to since early this year. We decided to gather our own funds, but the school's response feels excessive." The author noted, "I don't know if the school is taking preemptive measures due to concerns about complaints, but the military-style response continues. It is impossible to eliminate all accidents, and trying to control everything can lead to other negative effects." As the post gained traction, discussions erupted online. Some users commented, "I understand the concern for student safety," and "When an accident occurs, the responsibility falls heavily on the school or teachers, so they can't help but feel pressured," while others remarked, "There seems to be a growing reluctance towards experiential activities these days." Conversely, other users argued, "Banning all activities after an accident seems like overreacting," and "Ultimately, it only deprives students of opportunities to gain experiences," adding, "It feels like a culture of avoiding responsibility is leading to a decline in activities." Earlier, the student went missing after setting out alone for a hike in Juwangsan National Park with family and was found dead three days later. This incident has sparked ongoing debates about student safety management and the operation of experiential and outdoor activities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 08:21:55

U.S. Stocks Rise Despite Inflation Concerns; S&P 500 and Nasdaq Hit Record Highs U.S. stocks showed strength on May 13, driven by a rally in semiconductor shares, despite concerns over inflation due to high oil prices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 67.36 points, or 0.14%, at 49,693.20. The S&P 500 index rose 43.29 points, or 0.58%, to finish at 7,444.25, while the Nasdaq composite gained 314.14 points, or 1.20%, closing at 26,402.344. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq set new all-time highs with their gains on this day. The surge in tech stocks was fueled by news that Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, joined a delegation visiting China led by President Donald Trump. This development sparked increased buying interest in technology shares. Semiconductor stocks have continued to rise amid renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) investments. Among the 'Magnificent Seven' large tech stocks, Nvidia, a leader in AI, closed up 2.29% or $5.05 at $225.83. Other tech giants, including Alphabet (up 3.94%), Apple (up 3.28%), and Tesla (up 2.73%), also saw gains. In contrast, Microsoft fell 0.63%. Ford shares surged 13.18% as renewed attention on its partnership with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL emerged on Wall Street. However, financial stocks like JPMorgan Chase (down 1.52%), Visa (down 1.87%), and American Express (down 1.50%), along with retailers like Home Depot (down 2.55%), struggled due to inflation concerns. The U.S. Labor Department reported that the Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 1.4% in April compared to the previous month, marking the highest increase since March 2022 (1.7%). This figure significantly exceeded analysts' expectations of a 0.5% rise. Year-over-year, the PPI increased by 6.0%, the highest since December 2022 (6.3%). Peter Maluk, CEO of Creative Planning, told CNBC, "This bull market has been a long and sustained rally primarily led by tech stocks. This growth is based on expected earnings and is not a speculative bubble. There appears to be substantial demand remaining as supply struggles to keep up, indicating significant upward potential ahead." International oil prices fell, attributed to rising expectations surrounding negotiations on Iran issues following the U.S.-China summit. On the Intercontinental Exchange, July Brent crude futures settled at $105.63 per barrel, down 2.0% from the previous day. Meanwhile, June West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange closed at $101.02 per barrel, a decline of 1.1%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 08:18:16

Chef An Seong-jae Halts YouTube Activities Amid Wine Controversy 셰프 안성재가 와인 바꿔치기 논란에 휩싸인 가운데, 유튜브 활동을 중단한다고 밝혔다. On May 13, An Seong-jae's YouTube production team announced, "We would like to take some time to reorganize the channel's direction and overall operations, as well as to create content more thoughtfully." They added, "We will strive to return with a more responsible approach and better content for those who have supported and watched our channel." Recently, an internet user, identified as A, posted on an online community that they experienced a wine substitution incident while visiting the restaurant Mosu Seoul on April 18. A claimed, "I ordered Château Léoville Barton, but the sommelier served a 2005 vintage," and stated, "When I raised the issue, the response and handling were inadequate." Following this, the restaurant issued an apology via social media on April 23, and An Seong-jae also apologized on May 6. In a statement on his social media, An said, "I sincerely apologize once again for disappointing you due to the inadequate service that occurred at my establishment, Mosu." He added, "As the owner chef, I take full responsibility for Mosu and promise to manage it thoroughly to prevent such incidents from happening again." However, on the same day An posted his apology on social media, he uploaded a video to his YouTube channel, which drew criticism from netizens. Comments on the video included, "You posted a video right after the apology?" and "Why did you have to upload it at this timing?"* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 08:04:09

Identity of Suspect in Gwangju High School Murder Case Revealed Jang Yoon-ki, a 23-year-old unemployed man, has been identified as the suspect in the murder of a high school girl and the attempted murder of a male student in Gwangju. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Gwangju Police Agency released Jang's personal information, including his photograph and date of birth, on their website on May 14. The released photo is a mugshot taken at the time of his arrest. The police had decided to disclose his identity on May 8, but Jang did not consent, leading to a five-day waiting period before the information was made public at 7 a.m. today. During the waiting period, Jang's identity circulated on social media. This marks the first time that the identity of a suspect in a violent crime has been disclosed in the Gwangju area. Born in 2002, Jang was unemployed at the time of his arrest. He is accused of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old high school sophomore, identified as A, at around 12:11 a.m. on May 5 in a secluded walkway in the Wolgye-dong area of Gwangju. He is also charged with attacking another 17-year-old student, identified as B, with a weapon. The police plan to transfer Jang to the prosecution later today.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 07:57:46

KOSPI Hits 8000: Is Now the Time to Invest in Stocks? The KOSPI index surged to 8000 early in the trading session, drawing significant interest from individual investors. Contrary to concerns over high interest rates and economic recession, the domestic stock market has shown signs of recovery, particularly in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. Foreign investment is flowing back into major semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, rapidly changing market sentiment. Analysts note that the expansion of AI server investments and expectations for a recovery in the semiconductor industry are fueling a growing sense of "FOMO" (fear of missing out) among investors, prompting discussions about whether now is the right time to enter the market. Many investors are expressing that it feels wasteful to keep money only in savings accounts. Until last year, interest rates of 3-4% on deposits were seen as strong investment alternatives, but the recent rebound in the stock market is prompting a shift of funds back into equities. However, experts caution against getting swept up in the current market enthusiasm. They point out that the recent gains are largely concentrated in specific sectors like AI and semiconductors, and uncertainties remain regarding the pace of corporate earnings recovery and the global economic situation. A resurgence of "debt investment" among individual investors is also viewed as a risk factor. There are concerns that the increase in margin trading, which has been observed during previous stock market rebounds, could reoccur. In online investment communities, comments like "This time, it will really hit 3000" and "If you don't buy now, it will be too late" are becoming increasingly common. The real estate market is also showing subtle signs of change. In key areas of Seoul, the number of urgent sales is decreasing, and some complexes are experiencing a rebound in asking prices. However, since transaction volumes have not surged dramatically, many in the market believe it is still too early to declare a full recovery. Conversely, there is a growing sentiment among younger investors in their 20s and 30s to shift their focus from real estate to U.S. ETFs or dividend stocks. This trend indicates a stronger inclination towards cash flow based on salary and long-term investments, rather than taking on excessive debt to purchase homes as in the past. A securities industry insider noted, "Interest in investment strategies that focus on long-term asset growth while enduring volatility is definitely increasing, rather than seeking quick profits as in the past. Particularly, investors in their 20s and 30s are increasingly considering factors like actual residence, retirement, and cash flow simultaneously."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 07:55:22

Ok-soon Requests Editing Amid Controversy and Pregnancy Rumors on 'I Am Solo' Ok-soon, a participant in the 31st season of the ENA·SBS Plus dating program 'I Am SOLO', has reportedly requested edits to her broadcast appearances, sparking a flurry of speculation and rumors online. Recent posts on various online communities have circulated claims from an anonymous workplace forum. One post alleges that "Ok-soon is pregnant and has been diagnosed with a nervous breakdown, requiring complete rest." It further claims that she requested edits from the production team, stating, "If there are any issues with the baby, I will hold you responsible," and that her initial request was denied until she mentioned drastic measures, leading to her request being accepted. Another post discusses the final couple combinations from 'I Am SOLO' Season 31, mentioning Young-ho & Ok-soon, Young-sik & Jeong-hee, and Gyeong-soo & Young-sook. However, these claims remain unverified and are based on speculation circulating online prior to the broadcast. As these posts gained traction, reactions from netizens followed. Some expressed skepticism, stating, "Did she come on the show just to find a doctor husband and edit the show to her liking?" and "Soon-ja was ostracized, and now this is the outcome." Others noted, "She must have been very happy before the show, but now the atmosphere has completely changed." The controversy has intensified, intertwining with previous discussions around the 'behind-the-scenes' controversy. During the broadcast, a scene showed Ok-soon conversing with Young-sook and Jeong-hee while excluding Soon-ja, prompting viewers to question whether there was an atmosphere of exclusion or pressure against a specific participant. Additionally, an unreleased video from Season 31, shared on the YouTube channel 'Chonjang Entertainment TV', reignited the debate as it featured Ok-soon making remarks to Soon-ja like, "Why does it feel like a funeral?" and "Are you jealous?" This video was removed just two days after its release. Recently, some online communities have suggested that the production team may consider completely editing out parts of future broadcasts, leading to ongoing speculation among viewers. As of now, the production team has not issued any official statements regarding the rumors circulating online. 2026-05-14 07:50:53

KOSPI Surge Raises Concerns for Inverse ETFs as Prices Plummet ◆Major News from Ajou Economics ▷"If KOSPI Hits 12,000, Will Inverse ETFs Drop to Zero?"... Inverse ETFs Face Delisting Risk Amid KOSPI Rally - According to the Korea Exchange on May 13, prices of KOSPI 200 leveraged ETFs, including KODEX 200 Futures Inverse 2X, TIGER 200 Futures Inverse 2X, RISE 200 Futures Inverse 2X, and KIWOOM 200 Futures Inverse 2X, have all fallen to the 100 won range. Only PLUS 200 Futures Inverse 2X remains above 200 won. - Following KOSPI's historic breach of 7,000 points on May 6, the index surged to nearly 7,999 points on May 12, continuing its strong upward trend. This rapid increase has led to significant losses for leveraged ETFs betting on a decline in the index. A year ago, these products had total net assets exceeding 5 billion won, but many are now nearing delisting criteria, except for KODEX and TIGER products. - Industry experts suggest that if the KOSPI's upward trend continues for an extended period, the prices of leveraged ETFs could theoretically approach zero due to the compounding negative effects characteristic of inverse leveraged ETFs during rising market conditions. - However, asset management firms are not currently considering delisting, citing substantial demand from individual investors. - Market analysts attribute the heightened caution regarding KOSPI's overheating to factors such as Middle East risks, valuation pressures, and the 'Sell in May' sentiment. They explain that funds are flowing into leveraged ETFs as investors bet on a potential correction following the recent rapid rise. ◆Key Reports ▷Domestic Risks Ease Amid Hopes for U.S.-China Talks, KOSPI Could Reach 8,000 with Just 2% Gain - On May 13, the semiconductor sector rebounded just one day after experiencing a decline due to domestic risks, contributing to a reversal in KOSPI's fortunes. The ongoing labor dispute at Samsung Electronics remains a concern, but government officials have assured that a strike is unacceptable and that they will support negotiations to resolve the issue. - The previously raised issue of national dividend payments has been dismissed as a personal opinion, leading to a calming of domestic risks. Despite foreign investors continuing to sell large-cap semiconductor stocks for five consecutive trading days, the influx of bargain-hunting by institutions and individual investors has driven the semiconductor sector's recovery, supporting the index's rise. - A high-level meeting is scheduled for May 14 in Beijing between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott P. Hensarling and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to coordinate the agenda for a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is expected to request greater access to the Chinese market. The anticipated attendance of Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, who was previously rumored to be absent, has further fueled market optimism. ◆Major Announcements After Market Close (May 13) ▷Hyper Corporation Announces 20 Billion Won Shareholder Allocation Capital Increase ▷HLB Pharmaceuticals Announces 120 Billion Won Shareholder Allocation Capital Increase ▷Samyang Foods Reports Record Q1 Earnings Driven by 'Fire Noodle' Craze, Operating Profit Up 32% ▷Korea Electric Power Corporation Reports Q1 Operating Profit of 3.7842 Trillion Won, Up 0.8% Year-on-Year ▷Emart Reports Q1 Operating Profit of 178.3 Billion Won, Up 11.9% Year-on-Year ▷CJ Logistics Reports Q1 Operating Profit of 92.1 Billion Won, Up 7.9% Year-on-Year ◆Fund Trends (As of May 12, Excluding ETFs) ▷Domestic Equity: 9.6 Billion Won ▷Overseas Equity: -41.2 Billion Won ◆Key Schedule for Today (May 14) ▷UK: Q1 GDP Growth Rate, Industrial Production (March) ▷US: Retail Sales (April)* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 07:48:00