Financial chiefs vow to tighten scrutiny on stock leverage amid overheated rally SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - South Korea's top economic and financial policymakers on Thursday pledged to strengthen preemptive risk checks on borrowing-backed stock trading, as a rapid market rally fuels concerns that excessive leverage could amplify losses for retail investors and destabilize broader financial markets. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol chaired a joint market monitoring meeting at the government complex in Seoul, attended by Bank of Korea governor Shin Hyun-song, Financial Services Commission chairman Lee Eok-won and Financial Supervisory Service governor Lee Chan-jin. Participants expressed concern over the rapid increase in borrowing-backed stock purchases, particularly margin loans, and agreed to strengthen regular monitoring through market review meetings while enhancing preemptive risk management and investor protection measures. The warning comes as margin lending has climbed to record levels. Outstanding margin loans rose from 27.3 trillion won at the end of last year to 38.0 trillion won as of June 1, an increase of more than 10 trillion won in five months. Signs of mounting stress have also emerged in forced liquidations of leveraged positions. Data from the Korea Financial Investment Association showed that forced sales totaled 707.7 billion won during May, while the ratio of forced liquidations to unpaid trading balances averaged 2.63 percent during the month and surged to 7.6 percent on May 20. On June 1 alone, forced liquidations reached 33.2 billion won, more than double the previous trading day's 15.4 billion won, with the ratio jumping to 2.5 percent from 1.2 percent. The concerns echoed Shin's warning last week that excessive leverage could turn market corrections into self-reinforcing selloffs through forced liquidations, distorting the normal relationship between prices and demand. Participants said favorable economic conditions, including a 53.2 percent year-on-year jump in May exports, have helped sustain the stock market rally. They also noted that Korea's stock market capitalization has overtaken India to become the world's sixth largest. According to Bloomberg data, the U.S. ranked first with a market capitalization of US$79.5 trillion, followed by China with $15.1 trillion, Japan with $8.6 trillion, Hong Kong with $7.2 trillion, Taiwan with $5.2 trillion and Korea with $5.0 trillion. India ranked seventh with $4.8 trillion. Officials also discussed recent volatility in the foreign-exchange market. Despite a record current-account surplus, they said the won has remained vulnerable to the Middle East conflict and continued foreign selling of domestic equities. They noted that the sharp rise in local share prices has prompted foreign investors to rebalance portfolios and lock in profits, adding to exchange-rate volatility. Foreign investors' holdings of Korean stocks have risen to 2,991 trillion won, accounting for 38.3 percent of total market capitalization, up from 1,312 trillion won and 32.9 percent at the end of last year. Net foreign selling of local equities has reached 127 trillion won so far this year, including 66 trillion won over the past 18 consecutive trading sessions. Koo said authorities are closely watching markets with a high level of vigilance to prevent anxiety from spreading amid elevated external uncertainty. He also stressed that the government would take immediate action if excessive one-sided movements emerge. Officials also agreed to closely monitor the bond market, where government bond yields have become more volatile amid global rate movements, inflation concerns and stronger expectations for domestic rate hikes. They said authorities would coordinate responses in a timely manner if excessive volatility emerges. 2026-06-04 12:48:40

Two ex-justice ministers see contrasting fortunes in local elections' key battlegrounds SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - Two former justice ministers, both once seen as potential presidential contenders in the liberal and conservative camps, saw sharply contrasting fortunes in Wednesday's local elections. Former leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon won a parliamentary by-election and is headed to the National Assembly, while Cho Kuk of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) lost, casting doubt over his political future. Han won in the Buk district of the country's southern port city of Busan with 42.96 percent of the vote, narrowly beating Democratic Party (DP) candidate Ha Jung-woo, who received 41.26 percent, in a neck-and-neck race. PPP candidate Park Min-sik, who was expected to split the conservative vote and boost Ha's chances, trailed with a mere 15.76 percent. Han, once a close aide to disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol, served as justice minister under the Yoon administration before becoming PPP leader in July 2024. But he was later expelled from the conservative party late last year over dubious allegations that included hundreds of defamatory comments about Yoon and his wife posted on the party's online bulletin board. Han's overnight election victory has sparked speculation about a conservative realignment, with the PPP's internal rift over distancing itself from Yoon likely to intensify further. Han was among those who voted to lift Yoon's abrupt Dec. 3 declaration of martial law in 2024. Lawmakers aligned with Han within the PPP could push for his return to the party. The possibility of Han launching a new conservative party has also been raised. His victory is seen as laying the groundwork for him to emerge as a leading conservative contender in the next presidential election. PPP lawmakers told AJP that Han would return to the PPP and would not launch a new party. "His return to the party is a matter of timing, and there does not seem to be any discussion about launching a new party yet," PPP lawmaker Kim So-hee said. "Launching a new party would be difficult," she added. PPP four-term lawmaker Han Ki-ho said Han was unlikely to forcefully seek a return to the party and that the PPP would instead encourage him to rejoin. Dismissing speculation about a new party, he said, "Launching a new party is out of the question." "Once he enters the National Assembly, he will receive intense media attention, and if Han reflects the will of the people, the party will have no choice but to encourage him to join," Han added. "If Han maintains his soft, inclusive image, he will win public support." With 99.88 percent of the vote counted as of Thursday morning, Cho, the former fly-by-night justice minister who was released from prison after being convicted on charges of shoddy financial dealings and document forgery related to his children's school admissions, failed to secure a seat in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, finishing third with 27.24 percent in a tight three-way race. PPP candidate Yoo Eui-dong led with 34.83 percent and was on course for victory, while Kim Yong-nam of the DP came in second with 28.77 percent. Analysts say Cho, who had been considered a potential presidential contender, suffered a major blow to his leadership after failing to enter the National Assembly, and that the result could deal a fatal hit to his political career. Cho's defeat is expected to affect not only his personal political standing but also the future of his party. With his defeat, a possible merger between the DP and the RKP is now expected to be put on hold for the time being. During the campaign, Cho launched fierce attacks against the DP candidate while also stepping up criticism of the DP leadership, further deepening the rift between the two parties. With the DP soon set to begin preparations for a national convention to elect a new party leader and Supreme Council members, discussions on a merger between the two parties are likely to be left to the next leadership. Kim Joon-hyung, a lawmaker from the RKP, said there are currently no discussions within the party about a merger with the DP. Kim said no one was talking about a merger even in the RKP lawmakers' group chat on Telegram. He expressed disappointment over the DP's attitude toward the RKP. "DP leader Jung Chung-rae also talked about 'solidarity,' but the 'solidarity' the DP referred to was violent and one-sided," he said. "Now that Cho has lost, we no longer have the leverage we once had, so the DP would become even more aggressive toward the RKP," he predicted. "Kim Boo-kyum, the party's candidate for Daegu mayor, and Kim Kyoung-soo, the party's candidate for South Gyeongsang governor, were defeated, while Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Han strengthened their standing as presidential contenders with their victories," he also said. 2026-06-04 12:40:15

Ruling Party Criticizes Opposition's Call for Re-vote in Local Elections Jo Seung-rae, the Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, criticized the Election Commission's management of voting during the June 3 local elections, stating that "the position of the Election Commission's Secretary-General should be reconsidered." He also addressed the People Power Party's calls for a re-vote, urging them to refrain from engaging in "low-level politics" as the vote counting progressed favorably for them. After a press conference held by Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae, Jo told reporters, "Someone must take responsibility for this issue, and I will hold them accountable. The matter will not fade away just because the election is over." He added, "The People Power Party has called for a halt to vote counting and a re-vote, but I believe they will not mention it now that the election results are favorable for them." Earlier, during the election process, a shortage of voting papers occurred in areas such as Songpa District, leading to an unprecedented temporary halt in voting. In response, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk visited the Election Commission, asserting, "We must suspend all vote counting nationwide until we ascertain how many similar incidents have occurred across the country." Jang further claimed, "Due to the shortage of voting papers in Seoul, voting continued even after the deadline, and the counting broadcast proceeded while voting was still ongoing, rendering the election itself invalid. A re-vote must be conducted." In response, Jo stated to reporters in the counting situation room the previous day, "There is no value in responding to the People Power Party's demands for a halt to counting and a re-vote." He continued, "Regardless of this issue, many citizens of Seoul cast their votes, and the voting has concluded, with the ballots sealed and transported to the counting center for processing." Meanwhile, in the Seoul mayoral election, after 13 hours of counting, People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon overturned the lead of Democratic Party candidate Jeong Won-o, marking a historic fifth term for Oh as mayor of Seoul.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 12:09:00

HD Construction Machinery to Supply $23 Million in Bulldozers to Polish Military HD Construction Machinery has signed a major contract to supply bulldozers to the Polish military. According to industry sources, HD Construction Machinery was recently confirmed as the final supplier for the procurement of tracked bulldozers for the Polish 3rd Regional Logistics Base. This marks the company's first significant contract in a European military procurement project, valued at approximately 27 billion won (about $23 million). The order includes 50 units of 15-ton DEVELON bulldozers, with the potential for increased supply based on options. An official from HD Construction Machinery stated, "This contract is significant as it represents our entry into a challenging military procurement market and is a result of launching our bulldozer products in the European market within two years." To secure this order, HD Construction Machinery tailored its production capabilities to meet specific customer requirements, including adjustments to vehicle height, increased travel speed, and military-grade painting. Despite a tight deadline to deliver all units by November, the company established a stable production and supply system to gain the customer's trust. Lim Jeong-woo, the European Regional Director of HD Construction Machinery, remarked, "This contract demonstrates our ability to meet stringent military procurement conditions and showcases our product performance, quality, and supply capability in Europe. We aim to strengthen our competitive edge in various working environments and special-purpose demands, positioning ourselves as a trusted partner not only in construction equipment but also in public, military, and infrastructure recovery markets." In May, HD Construction Machinery signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mykolaiv regional government in Ukraine for cooperation on reconstruction efforts. The company is also expanding its global presence, having recently secured a contract worth 20 billion won for the supply of articulated dump trucks with Rental Group, the largest construction equipment rental company in Northern Europe.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 12:09:00

KFTC Approves Conditional Acquisition of Sanofi's Cancer Drug by Boryung The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has halted Boryung's acquisition of Sanofi's cancer drug Taxotere, citing significant concerns over reduced market competition. On June 4, the KFTC announced that it had reviewed Boryung's plan to acquire the marketing rights for Taxotere, an original cancer drug containing docetaxel, from Sanofi. The commission determined that the merger would substantially limit competition and ordered Boryung to divest the Taxotere business to a third party. Docetaxel is widely used for breast cancer treatment, with market shares in South Korea showing Sanofi at 64.7%, Boryung at 13.8%, and Dong-A ST at 6.9%. Boryung had signed a contract last October to acquire all necessary rights for Taxotere's domestic and international sales from Sanofi and subsequently reported the merger to the KFTC. The KFTC expressed concerns that the merger would lead to monopolistic practices. With Boryung holding a 13.8% market share as the second-largest player and Sanofi holding 64.7% as the market leader, the combined entity would control 78.5% of the market, creating an overwhelming dominant position. There were also worries that the merger could lead to a decline in product quality or reduce competitive incentives. Boryung has been the only company in South Korea to develop and supply an alcohol-free docetaxel product, competing on quality with the leading product. However, concerns arose that acquiring the leading product could diminish Boryung's motivation to maintain quality competition. As a result, the KFTC conditionally approved the merger, mandating Boryung to sell the Taxotere business. Specifically, Boryung must divest its Taxotere-related assets to a third-party pharmaceutical company within six months to ensure a sufficient number of effective competitors in the market. Additionally, to prevent any weakening of Taxotere's competitive capabilities, Boryung is prohibited from ceasing production and supply of Taxotere or encouraging a shift to Taxotere sales until the divestiture is complete. After the sale, Boryung will be required to supply finished Taxotere products and provide technical support to the acquiring company for a specified period upon request. A KFTC official stated, "This merger will help secure a stable supply of essential medicines for treating breast cancer and other conditions by enabling the domestic manufacturing and sale of the original docetaxel cancer drug. We will closely monitor anti-competitive mergers to actively prevent monopolistic practices and consumer harm."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 12:03:00

Government to Revamp Integrated Pension Portal for Easier Retirement Asset Management The government is set to revamp the Integrated Pension Portal to enhance the convenience of managing citizens' retirement assets. Plans are in place to strengthen the comparison and search functions for pension products and to reorganize the content and menu structure based on user feedback, with a new service expected to launch by the end of the year. On June 4, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, along with the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, announced the plan to improve the Integrated Pension Portal, aiming to make it easier for citizens to compare and analyze pension products and retirement asset information. The Integrated Pension Portal serves as a support platform that consolidates information on various pension schemes, including the National Pension, retirement pensions, and pension savings. User numbers have increased from 1.75 million in 2023 to 1.79 million in 2024, and further to 2.61 million, establishing it as a key tool for managing retirement assets. However, the government has determined that the current portal primarily provides information from the perspective of pension providers, indicating a need for improvements from the user’s viewpoint. To address this, the government plans to gather user complaints and suggestions to thoroughly review the content structure and menu system, as well as to enhance the comparison and search functions for pension products. The government will identify areas for improvement through a five-step process that includes ongoing collection of user feedback, in-depth interviews, new surveys, analysis of past survey results, and benchmarking against successful platforms. In particular, in-depth interviews will be conducted with financial consumer reporters, university student reporters, and representatives from pension-related associations and financial companies. An online satisfaction survey is also scheduled for June and July. The government aims to finalize improvement tasks by September, followed by system development, with the revamped Integrated Pension Portal service expected to be unveiled in December. A Ministry of Employment and Labor official stated, "We will actively reflect user opinions to improve the Integrated Pension Portal, enabling citizens to manage their retirement assets more easily and conveniently."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 12:03:00

Korea's Fair Trade Commission Fines Woojin Electric 126 Million Won for Violations A manufacturer that requested technical data from its subcontractor without providing written documentation and failing to establish a non-disclosure agreement has faced sanctions from the Fair Trade Commission (FTC). On June 4, the FTC announced it has imposed a fine of 126 million won ($106,000) on Woojin Electric, a manufacturer of railway vehicles and electric buses, for violating subcontracting regulations. The company requested and received 11 technical documents, including component manuals and specifications for batteries, via email without providing the required written documentation or signing a non-disclosure agreement. The requested documents contained critical information about the components and technical specifications. According to the FTC, Woojin Electric's failure to provide written documentation when requesting these materials was a violation of the law. Furthermore, it was found that no non-disclosure agreements were signed for three of the documents. As a result, the FTC decided to impose a fine along with a prohibition order based on Article 12-3, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Subcontracting Act. An FTC official stated, "We will intensively monitor procedural violations to prevent the potential misuse of technology. We also plan to improve the fine system, including raising the maximum fines and rationalizing the criteria for imposing fines to deter violations of subcontracting laws, such as technology misappropriation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 12:03:00

Despite High Survival Rates, South Korea Lacks Leading University Startups A recent assessment reveals that while South Korea's university startups have seen quantitative growth, they have failed to generate stable profits and produce globally leading companies. The Bank of Korea has suggested the need to establish a "growth ladder" throughout the startup process to ensure that excellent university technologies contribute to economic growth. In a report titled "Establishing a Growth Ladder for the Qualitative Transformation of University Startups: Diagnosis of Stage-Specific Constraints and Policy Tasks," released on June 4, the Bank of Korea outlined these findings. According to the report, the domestic university startup ecosystem has steadily expanded. The number of university startups increased from 987 in 2011 to 2,887 in 2024, nearly tripling. The five-year survival rate for university startups stands at 74%, significantly higher than the general startup survival rate of 33.8% and the OECD average of 45.4%. However, despite this quantitative growth, qualitative outcomes remain disappointing. None of the top 30 companies by market capitalization in South Korea originated from university startups. In contrast, five of the top 10 companies in the U.S., including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Broadcom, and Meta, have roots in university innovation. University startups are considered a crucial pathway for converting high-risk, high-value technologies and skilled talent into economic value, and they are seen as a major alternative for enhancing long-term growth rates. Nevertheless, the level of technology commercialization at South Korean universities lags behind that of major countries. The technology transfer rate at South Korean universities is approximately 26%, significantly lower than the U.S. rate of 40.9% and the U.K. rate of 61.0%. Although eight South Korean universities rank among the top 50 globally in terms of international patent applications, this technological competitiveness has not translated into successful commercialization. The profitability of startup companies is also weak. University startups have faced rising costs that outpace revenue growth during their expansion phases, leading to a decline in operating profit margins to -3.3% by the fifth year. Additionally, their research and development (R&D) spending is only half that of the average for high-tech venture firms, indicating limitations in accumulating innovative capabilities. The Bank of Korea analyzed that university startups are encountering what it calls "two valleys of death"—financial difficulties during both the initial startup phase and the business expansion phase. In the startup phase, entrepreneurial achievements are not adequately reflected in faculty evaluations, and there is a lack of safety nets to support recovery after failures. During the commercialization phase, a shortage of specialized personnel and practical infrastructure has hindered the connection of technology to the market. Furthermore, during the scale-up phase, securing follow-up investments has been challenging, and in the follow-up investment and exit phase, the market for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is limited, resulting in an inadequate investment cycle. To address these issues, the Bank of Korea proposed three main policy pillars: reforming university governance, expanding the role of public sector demand, and encouraging private investment. It suggested establishing a separate evaluation system that reflects technology transfer and startup achievements in faculty performance assessments to enhance entrepreneurial incentives. Additionally, it emphasized the need to implement a "Try-Buy" system, where public institutions present technology projects, and startups can secure initial sales by delivering prototypes that meet performance criteria. Moreover, the report recommends expanding new funding mechanisms such as intellectual property (IP) collateral exceptions and revenue-based financing (RBF), as well as gradually relaxing regulations on corporate venture capital (CVC) to stimulate private investment. It also proposed the introduction of a dedicated trading market for university innovation startups within unlisted stock distribution platforms to broaden investment recovery pathways.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 12:03:00

TSMC Chairman Confident in AI Demand Driving Growth, Forecasts Over 30% Revenue Increase World's largest semiconductor foundry, TSMC, expressed confidence in future growth driven by increasing demand for artificial intelligence (AI). According to the Taiwan Economic Daily, TSMC Chairman and CEO Weijia Zhang thanked shareholders for their unwavering support during the company's annual shareholders meeting on June 4. He highlighted the recent rise in stock prices, plans for increased dividends, and growth projections due to AI demand. Zhang noted that TSMC's stock price surged from NT$950 (approximately $31) at last year's shareholders meeting to NT$2,425 (about $80) the day before the meeting, stating, "The stock performance over the past year has been remarkable, increasing by more than 1.5 times." He shared that the dividend for this year is expected to be at least NT$24, representing an increase of over 30% from the previous year. He expressed confidence that TSMC's performance will continue to surpass industry standards. Additionally, he projected that TSMC's revenue for 2025 would reach NT$3.8 trillion, a 31.8% increase from the previous year, and that the company would maintain over 30% revenue growth this year in dollar terms. Zhang emphasized that AI demand is a key driver of long-term growth in the semiconductor industry. He stated, "We are entering a world empowered by artificial intelligence," predicting that AI will be applied not only in data centers but also in personal computers, smartphones, automobiles, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. He added that TSMC's leading technology and exceptional manufacturing capabilities will continue to grow in value as a result. He explained that the current trend in AI development is shifting from generative AI to agentic AI. In response to increasing AI demand, he anticipates continued large-scale capital investments for the foreseeable future. When asked during the Q&A session about when TSMC's capital expenditures might peak and when they could be reduced, he candidly replied, "Honestly, I don't know." He also stated, "I do not see any indicators suggesting that we need to reduce capital expenditures at this time." However, based on forecasts from clients and their customers, he expressed optimism, saying, "The next few years will be good for everyone," indicating that TSMC's growth trajectory will continue. Zhang projected that TSMC's capital expenditures for this year would range from $52 billion to $56 billion, underscoring the company's strong confidence in future growth. He stated, "We are continuously expanding our production capacity to support our customers' growth," while also ensuring that shareholders receive stable and sustainable investment returns. He concluded by expressing deep confidence in TSMC's growth over the coming years and reaffirmed the company's commitment to sustainable responsibility and sound corporate governance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 11:39:00

Shinhan Bank CEO Visits Aircraft Maintenance Company to Discuss Financial Support Shinhan Bank CEO Jeong Sang-hyeok visited the aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry to discuss financial support strategies. With the recovery of the aviation sector and increasing demand, there is a growing need for facility investments and operational funding, prompting plans for tailored financial assistance.On June 4, Shinhan Bank announced that Jeong visited the aircraft maintenance company Sharpt Technics K, located in Incheon, on June 2. This visit is part of his efforts to enhance productive finance, following two previous site visits earlier this year.Sharpt Technics K is a subsidiary of Sharpe Aviation K, responsible for aircraft maintenance and related facility operations.During his visit, Jeong toured the first and second maintenance hangars, observing ground operations and MRO activities. He then held a meeting to discuss key issues facing the company, including facility operations, workforce recruitment, and investment plans.Shinhan Bank plans to review customized financial solutions to support Sharpe Aviation K's facility investments, operational funding, and global competitiveness.Jeong stated, "It was a meaningful opportunity to witness firsthand the dynamic environment playing a crucial role in South Korea's aviation industry. We will continue to strengthen productive financial support to ensure that funds are readily available for industries with growth potential."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 11:36:00