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  • HMMs Q2 profit jumps 52% as early peak season lifts freight rates
    HMM's Q2 profit jumps 52% as early peak season lifts freight rates SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - South Korea's HMM, the country's largest container carrier, announced that second-quarter operating profit surged about 52 percent from a year earlier, as an early peak season and firmer freight rates powered a sharp recovery despite costlier fuel. According to regulatory filings released Thursday, operating profit jumped about 52 percent to 354.1 billion won ($248.7 million) and revenue surged about 30 percent to 3.40 trillion won, as peak-season demand arrived early from late May. Meanwhile, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index averaged 1,957 points in the first half, about 15% above a year earlier. As for the first half of 2026, operating profit through June came to 623.2 billion won, down from 847.1 billion won a year earlier, while revenue climbed about 12 percent to 6.12 trillion won as higher freight rates cushioned the blow, the Busan-based company said. "Even amid uncertain market conditions, we have built a resilient earnings structure capable of generating consistent results," HMM said, crediting fuel-cost optimization after the outbreak of the Middle East conflict and a hub-and-spoke strategy that squeezed more efficiency from its fleet. The carrier struck a cautious note on the second half, warning that U.S. tariffs, congestion at the Panama Canal and major ports, and the lingering Middle East war would keep supply-chain risks elevated. It poured about 10 trillion won into ships and infrastructure over the 15 months to mid-2026, and last month lifted its 2030 investment blueprint to about 29 trillion won. That bet reflects a strategic pivot rather than mere expansion, HMM said, as it seeks to lock in relatively cheap vessels now to maximize future returns and cement its ascent toward the ranks of the world's top-tier carriers. Shares of HMM closed 21,050 won per stock, 1.41 percent lower than the day before. AJP Takeaways • HMM's second-quarter 2026 operating profit rose about 52% year-on-year to 354.1 billion won, driven by an early peak season and a first-half Shanghai Containerized Freight Index averaging 1,957 points, about 15% higher than a year earlier. • HMM reported first-half 2026 operating profit of 623.2 billion won on August 13, 2026, down about 26% from a year earlier, as a Middle East war raised fuel and voyage costs despite a 12% rise in revenue to 6.12 trillion won. • HMM in July 2026 raised its mid-to-long-term investment plan through 2030 to about 29 trillion won (about $19.8 billion), targeting a combined container and bulk fleet of 276 vessels under a hub-and-spoke strategy. 2026-08-13 15:56:16
  • Koreas penny stocks face delisting clock
    Korea's penny stocks face delisting clock SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) — A little kindness can go a long way, but on South Korea's penny-stock boards this week, investors were wondering whether sympathy could go far enough to save a company from delisting. Online investment communities filled with anxious questions, angry recriminations and the occasional speculative wager after the Korea Exchange placed dozens of stocks under regulatory watch Wednesday in the first broad application of tougher rules aimed at pushing chronically weak companies out of the market. “Will it really be delisted if it can't get back above 1,000 won?” one investor asked Thursday after finding CMG Pharmaceutical, a South Korean drug developer, among companies caught by the country's new minimum share-price rule. Another investor offered what sounded almost like charity: “I might just buy 1,000 shares.” The advice came quickly. “I bought it yesterday because I felt bad for the company, but now it might hit the daily limit at this rate.” CMG Pharmaceutical was up 11.17 percent at 679 won as of 1:41 p.m. Thursday, showing how quickly a delisting scare can turn into a speculative trade. A total of 36 stocks were designated or additionally flagged Wednesday — nine on the main KOSPI and 27 on the junior KOSDAQ — according to KRX data. Six KOSDAQ stocks were already under regulatory watch and received an additional designation after remaining below 1,000 won for 30 consecutive trading days. For shareholders, designation does not mean their stock suddenly becomes worthless. It means the clock has started. Under rules effective July 1, a stock that closes below 1,000 won ($0.71) for 30 consecutive trading days is designated an administrative issue. During the following 90 trading days, it must remain at or above 1,000 won for 45 consecutive sessions or face delisting. The dollar conversion is based on the won trading around 1,414.40 per dollar Thursday. The same countdown applies to companies falling below minimum market-capitalization requirements. Since July 1, the floor has been 30 billion won for KOSPI companies and 20 billion won for KOSDAQ companies. The KOSDAQ threshold rises again to 30 billion won on Jan. 1, 2027, while the KOSPI requirement climbs to 50 billion won. Of Wednesday's affected KOSDAQ stocks, 21 failed the share-price test, four fell below the market-cap floor and two failed both, according to KRX. On the KOSPI, three failed the price requirement, five the market-value test and one both. Sympathy, anger and speculation The new rules turned company message boards into a mixture of blame, bewilderment and bargain hunting. On Hyungji Elite's board, one user blamed management, asking how the apparel company could be “so incompetent that it ended up like this.” An investor discussing Ilshin Stone, a processor and seller of construction stone including marble and granite, questioned the rule itself. “Why is it being put under watch just because it fell below 1,000 won?” Others were looking for an opportunity. The reactions illustrate the central risk of the new regime. Stocks facing a possible exit from the exchange can look extraordinarily cheap in nominal terms, tempting retail investors to bet on a rebound precisely when the downside risk is greatest. Lee Jeong-hwan, a professor of economics at Hanyang University, warned against buying such companies simply because their shares appear inexpensive. “Delisting is clearly not good news for individual shareholders,” Lee said. “There is always a risk because once a company is delisted, investors could be left holding shares that are worthless.” He said tougher removal rules are nevertheless necessary from the perspective of overall market quality, even if they impose losses on shareholders of individual companies. Some companies are already trying to outrun the clock. Shaperon, a KOSDAQ-listed drug developer, decided in June on a five-for-one share consolidation, reducing the number of shares while mechanically raising the price of each remaining share. The company has presented the move as part of an effort to stabilize its share price and improve market conditions. But regulators have anticipated that strategy. The revised regime contains safeguards against companies repeatedly using reverse stock splits or capital reductions simply to escape the penny-stock threshold. A consolidation can change the number on the screen. It cannot by itself repair the business underneath it. From penny stock to chip giant SK hynix offers an extreme example of what a genuine turnaround can look like. Long before becoming one of the world's dominant memory-chip makers, Hynix Semiconductor was itself a penny stock struggling through a severe liquidity and debt crisis. Its recovery required far more than lifting its share price. Hynix separated or sold noncore telecommunications and LCD businesses, disposed of assets and concentrated its resources on semiconductors. The company entered joint creditor management in October 2001 and eventually exited the program ahead of schedule after returning to sustained profitability from the second half of 2003. That distinction goes to the heart of the government's delisting campaign. The objective is not simply to make low-priced stocks more expensive. It is to remove companies unable to meet basic standards of market value, financial viability and disclosure, while forcing those capable of recovery to demonstrate it. The potential effect on KOSDAQ is significant. According to an NH Investment & Securities estimate, excluding weak companies targeted by the tougher regime would raise combined operating profit among KOSDAQ-listed firms last year to 18.8 trillion won from 14.1 trillion won, while cutting the market's price-to-earnings ratio to 31.3 from 112.6. The arithmetic captures the trade-off. Removing chronic loss-makers can improve the profitability and valuation profile of the market as a whole, but shareholders caught in the cleanup can suffer heavy losses. For investors now betting on stocks trapped below the new thresholds, getting back above 1,000 won may buy time. The stock may recover. Whether the company can is another question. AJP Takeaways • South Korea's new penny-stock rule has started a delisting countdown for companies trading below 1,000 won for 30 consecutive sessions, requiring them to recover above the threshold for 45 straight trading days within the next 90. • The crackdown is concentrated on KOSDAQ, where 27 stocks were caught in Wednesday's sweep, fueling everything from sympathy buying to speculative bets on companies trying to escape the threshold. • A higher nominal share price alone is not enough. Reverse stock splits can lift the price mechanically, but the SK hynix precedent shows that lasting recovery requires restructuring, stronger earnings and a viable underlying business. 2026-08-13 15:52:35
  • Seoul pledges 230,000 additional homes in capital area
    Seoul pledges 230,000 additional homes in capital area SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - More than 230,000 additional homes will be supplied in the Seoul metropolitan area in the coming years to curb housing prices amid a shortage of housing, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Thursday. According to a set of plans announced by the ministry, about 120,000 of the 230,000 new homes will be built by as early as 2030. This includes 21,700 homes in newly designated sites in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, and 4,500 homes in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, while plans for the remaining 73,000 homes will be announced later after consultations with relevant agencies. The ministry also vowed to speed up public housing projects by designating more new housing sites and providing incentives for private-sector developers to stabilize housing prices and rental markets, while accelerating construction in Seoul and surrounding areas where housing supply has struggled to keep pace with demand. One of the key measures is to cut the time required from the selection of a housing site to the start of construction to 37 months from the current 68 months by streamlining procedures involving permits, land compensation, relocation and other stages of development. The latest plans also include speeding up construction at previously designated sites for about 60,000 homes, including those in northern Seoul and Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, announced in January this year. Tax and other financial incentives will also be available for housing projects that begin construction in 2027 and 2028, along with eased regulations for private developers to encourage faster housing supply. While welcoming some of the measures, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon criticized the government for failing to fully adopt the city's proposals to ease real estate-related regulations for redevelopment. He also opposed using greenbelt land for housing development. Oh added he was deeply disappointed that the city government was not sufficiently consulted before the measures were announced, leaving the city merely to be informed of them. Thursday's housing supply plans appear intended to appease those affected, amid growing criticism of the government's housing and tax policies, with President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating in the doldrums in recent weeks. Critics say Lee benefited from several tax breaks when he sold his home, just a few months before new tax regulations were announced earlier this month. Under the amended rules, which are expected to take effect gradually, married couples who jointly own a home may be treated as multiple-home owners and face higher taxes. Long-term homeowners could also lose some tax benefits. The government has also tightened lending rules to curb speculation, making it harder for many people to secure loans. AJP Takeaways: - The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on Aug. 13, 2026, plans to supply more than 230,000 additional homes in the Seoul metropolitan area to ease housing shortages and curb housing prices. - About 120,000 of the new homes are expected to be built by as early as 2030, including 21,700 homes in newly designated sites in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, and 4,500 homes in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. - The government aims to reduce the time from housing site selection to the start of construction from 68 months to 37 months by streamlining permits, land compensation, relocation and other development procedures. Construction will also be accelerated at previously designated sites for about 60,000 homes. - Tax and financial incentives will be offered for housing projects that begin construction in 2027 and 2028, while regulations on private developers will be eased to encourage faster housing supply. - Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon welcomed some measures but criticized the government for not fully adopting Seoul’s redevelopment proposals and for failing to sufficiently consult the Seoul Metropolitan Government before announcing the housing plans. 2026-08-13 15:49:12
  • Savings Banks Close Branches in Major Seoul Areas Amid Shift to Online Banking
    Savings Banks Close Branches in Major Seoul Areas Amid Shift to Online Banking The reduction of physical branches by savings banks is extending beyond regional areas to major commercial districts in Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area. As online financial transactions become commonplace, large savings banks and financial holding companies are increasingly closing branches. This shift towards 'branchless savings banks' is being recognized as a rapid move towards cost efficiency.According to the Financial Supervisory Service's financial statistics information system, the number of savings bank branches (excluding headquarters) nationwide was 153 at the end of the first quarter of this year, a decrease of 24 from the same period last year.In the second quarter, three additional branches were closed: OK Savings Bank's Iksu branch, JT Friends Savings Bank's Jamsil branch, and Woori Financial Savings Bank's Euljiro Entrance branch. No new branches opened during this period. This brings the total number of closures to 27 over the past 15 months since March of last year.The branch reductions are not limited to regional areas. According to the Korea Federation of Savings Banks, of the 25 branches closed from April of last year to June of this year, 11 were in Seoul and 4 in Gyeonggi Province, accounting for 60% of the closures in the metropolitan area. Major commercial districts, including downtown Seoul and Gangnam, were not exempt.SBI Savings Bank has closed its Jongno, Olympic, and Pohang branches, while Korea Investment Savings Bank has shut down its Jamsil, Digital Seohyeon, and Gwangmyeong branches. Other closures include KB Savings Bank's Yeouido branch and Daol Savings Bank's Apgujeong branch, indicating a trend of branch efficiency across both large firms and financial holding companies.Savings banks are striving to reduce fixed costs such as rent and labor as the number of customers visiting branches declines due to the rise of online transactions. A representative from a savings bank that reduced its branches stated, "With the emergence of fintech, the focus of lending and deposit services is shifting online, prompting us to reduce the number of branches for operational efficiency."The industry estimates that about 70% of savings bank operations are conducted online. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of online savings and loan services, and the practice of offering preferential interest rates for online products has become widespread. A financial industry representative noted, "As experience with online banking increases, there has been a significant rise in mobile banking usage among customers in their 50s and 60s."However, there are concerns that continued branch reductions may decrease financial accessibility for older adults who are not accustomed to mobile banking. The representative added, "Among older customers, there are still many who feel secure only when they can visit a branch in person. We need to consider ways to minimize the inconvenience for digitally vulnerable groups during this process of branch efficiency." 2026-08-13 15:48:10
  • Korea Zinc Supplies First Battery Copper Foil with 100% Eco-Friendly Processing
    Korea Zinc Supplies First Battery Copper Foil with 100% Eco-Friendly Processing Korea Zinc announced on August 13 that its subsidiary KZAM has begun mass production of battery copper foil since June, supplying it to global battery manufacturers. This marks a significant achievement for the secondary battery materials business, which has been nurtured by Chairman Choi Yoon-bum as a future growth driver.KZAM expects to generate sales of up to 40 billion won from this supply. The battery copper foil, made by rolling copper into thin sheets, serves as a key material for the anode current collector in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). It impacts the battery's energy density, charging performance, and lifespan.A representative from Korea Zinc stated, "With this supply of battery copper foil, KZAM anticipates sales of up to 40 billion won. We plan to continue efforts to stabilize production, improve yield, and secure new customers to enhance our operational efficiency and performance."The battery copper foil supplied by KZAM is expected to be used in batteries produced in North America. Additionally, the company’s U.S. resource recycling subsidiary, Pedal Point, will recycle secondary materials at the Onsan smelter to produce 100% eco-friendly copper, which KZAM will process into copper foil for the battery supply chain.A Korea Zinc official remarked, "This supply represents a crucial starting point for KZAM's entry into the global battery supply chain and signifies that the new battery materials business we have pursued is beginning to yield tangible results. We will continue to expand our differentiated battery materials business based on our world-class smelting technology and resource recycling competitiveness."Meanwhile, KZAM plans to invest 735.6 billion won in expanding its copper foil production facilities by the end of 2027.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 15:48:00
  • Fiji takes Pacific fuel crisis to Seoul as Hormuz closure drags on
    Fiji takes Pacific fuel crisis to Seoul as Hormuz closure drags on SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - Much of the Pacific has spent this year rationing diesel and living with blackouts. On Thursday, Fiji brought that issue to Seoul, asking South Korea to expand energy cooperation at the first meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers in nearly 11 years. Sakiasi Ditoka, Fiji's minister for foreign affairs and external trade, told Cho Hyun that the Asia-Pacific has no choice but to be more exposed than most regions to the supply disruption caused by the war in the Middle East, because its core energy shipments run through the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a readout. He said he hoped Fiji could strengthen energy cooperation with South Korea, which he described as holding advanced refining and stockpiling capacity. Both ministers agreed that building stable and resilient energy supply chains among countries in the region has become more important than ever, and said they would communicate more closely, according to the ministry. What Fiji imports, much of the Pacific ends up burning. The country functions as the regional distribution point for fuel that moves on to smaller island states, so a shortfall in Suva turns into a shortfall across a dozen economies within weeks. That chain has been under strain since Feb. 28, when commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz collapsed after fighting broke out between Iran and the United States and Israel. Kerosene prices across the Pacific rose 42 percent in the months that followed and diesel rose 35 percent, according to the United Nations Development Programme. Tuvalu declared a state of emergency in April and imposed rolling blackouts. The Marshall Islands declared a 90-day economic emergency. The United Nations reported daily outages in parts of Fiji itself, one of the better-prepared economies in the region. South Korea imports effectively all of its crude and ranks among the most Hormuz-exposed economies in Asia, which is why it built the capacity Ditoka came to talk about. Its four refiners run roughly 3.4 million barrels a day, the fifth-largest refining capacity in the world, and government and commercial stockpiles together cover about 200 days of domestic demand. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources released a record 22.46 million barrels from strategic reserves in March under a coordinated International Energy Agency action. Seoul has been rerouting its own supply since. Middle Eastern crude accounted for 53.1 percent of South Korea's import mix in April, down from 65.2 percent a year earlier, according to Korea National Oil Corporation figures, as refiners pulled more barrels from the United States and Canada. Cho welcomed Ditoka in a year that marks 55 years of diplomatic relations, established in January 1971, and called Fiji the anchor of South Korea's diplomacy with Pacific island countries. The meeting schedule has not always matched that description. When 18 Pacific Islands Forum members gathered in Seoul in December for the sixth Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Fiji was represented by a deputy minister, and the bilateral meetings Cho held that day were with Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Palau and Papua New Guinea. Before Thursday, the last ministerial talks between Seoul and Suva took place on Sept. 14, 2015, during an official visit to Fiji by Yun Byung-se. On development, Cho said South Korea is concentrating its assistance on sectors Fiji has identified as priorities, including health and energy, and that he hoped it could help improve clinical care and build renewable energy capacity on the islands. Fiji is the largest development cooperation partner South Korea has among Pacific island countries. The Korea International Cooperation Agency is building a national rehabilitation center there under a $10 million grant program that runs to 2027. Ditoka thanked South Korea for its assistance to date and asked for sustained attention to climate change. The ministers also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula and the wider Pacific and agreed to cooperate on consular matters, including the protection of South Korean nationals in Fiji. No supply arrangement, storage agreement or specific energy measure was announced. The readout records an alignment of views and a commitment to talk more often. The climate request carries a deadline. Fiji hosts the Pre-COP31 preparatory meeting in Nadi from Oct. 5 to 8, with a leaders' event in Tuvalu, before the main climate conference opens in Antalya, Türkiye, on Nov. 9. 2026-08-13 15:43:03
  • Colorful Cloud Phenomenon Captivates Sky Above Nongsim Headquarters
    Colorful Cloud Phenomenon Captivates Sky Above Nongsim Headquarters A colorful cloud phenomenon known as 'chaewoon' appeared in the sky above the Nongsim headquarters in Seoul, drawing attention.On August 13, around noon, a soft blend of green, blue, and pink hues was observed among the white clouds stretching across the sky above the Nongsim headquarters in the Dongjak district of Seoul. The multicolored clouds, set against a backdrop of blue sky and lush greenery, resembled large feathers unfurling in the heavens.Kim Seung-eun, an employee who captured the photos, said, "I happened to look up at the sky during lunch and saw the rainbow colors in the clouds. I wanted to share this beautiful moment with my friends, so I took a picture."Chaewoon is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that occurs when sunlight interacts with small droplets or ice crystals in thin clouds, resulting in a spectrum of colors. This differs from the formation of a typical rainbow, which is created by the refraction and reflection of sunlight in raindrops. The phenomenon is best observed when the clouds are thin and the sunlight strikes at the right angle.The term 'chaewoon' carries cultural significance as well. According to the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, it describes not just colored clouds but also 'beautiful, auspicious, and fantastical clouds.'Historically, clouds that shine in multiple colors have been viewed as symbols of good fortune, peace, and prosperity. As a result, those who witness chaewoon often feel as though they are experiencing a sacred or fortunate moment. However, there is no scientific basis for the belief that chaewoon predicts future luck or misfortune. It can be seen as a natural weather phenomenon enriched by cultural symbolism and human hopes.While scientifically it is a fleeting optical effect created by sunlight and tiny cloud particles, the colorful chaewoon provided a special sight that evoked feelings of auspiciousness for those who gazed upon it that day. 2026-08-13 15:40:20
  • G-Star Expands Beyond Gaming with AI and Webtoon Collaborations
    G-Star Expands Beyond Gaming with AI and Webtoon Collaborations South Korea's largest game exhibition, G-Star, is set to broaden its scope this year, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), film, and comics into a comprehensive content showcase. This expansion aims to attract a wider audience and strengthen its own planned content in response to a decline in participation from major domestic game companies.The Korea Game Industry Association and the G-Star Organizing Committee held a press conference on August 13 in Seoul to unveil key participating companies and the event's operational direction. G-Star 2026 will take place from November 19 to 22 at BEXCO in Busan.This year, the main sponsor will be Lutton Technologies, which operates the AI character chat service 'Crack.' This marks the first time an AI company has taken on the role of main sponsor for G-Star. The organizing committee plans to focus on AI and narrative as key themes while expanding related content such as webtoons and films.Jung Seung-woo, head of the G-Star Organizing Committee, stated, "While previous G-Star attendees were limited to gamers, we aim to include not only game enthusiasts but also fans of comics and other content."The expansion of G-Star reflects the challenges of curating exhibition content solely based on participating companies' submissions. Currently confirmed participants include Crack, Google Play, Webzen, 4:33, HoYoverse, NetEase Games' Joker Studio, Bilibili Games, and Century Games. Major domestic game companies such as Nexon, NCSoft, Netmarble, and Krafton are not on the list.The organizing committee is in discussions with other companies regarding their participation and plans to announce the finalized list of participants in September.One of the main reasons for the decline in participation from domestic game companies is the shift in the industry focus from mobile to PC and console gaming. G-Star has established itself as an annual exhibition for unveiling new titles, but as major local companies invest more in long-development console games, it has become increasingly difficult to prepare submissions each year.Jung explained, "Unlike the past when mobile games dominated, major developers are now concentrating on console game development. The lengthy development cycles for console games may limit participation to every five or seven years."In response, the organizing committee plans to enhance the existing exhibition structure, which has relied on submissions from participating companies, and increase in-house content that G-Star directly plans. The goal is to establish G-Star as an exhibition that satisfies both participants and attendees, regardless of the participation of domestic and international game companies.Collaboration with webtoons will also be expanded. This year, G-Star will showcase two types of key visuals, with the main visual created in collaboration with Lee Dong-geon, the artist behind the Naver webtoon 'Yumi's Cells.'The organizing committee will also attempt to connect the gaming industry with other content sectors such as film, video, and webtoons during the G-Star conference. This year's program will feature not only game developers but also directors like Jang Hang-jun of 'The King’s Affection' and Lee Byung-hun of 'Extreme Job,' as well as creators from various fields including webtoons and animation.A new online showcase will also be introduced. Unlike the previous format that presented multiple games in 1-2 minute videos, this year will feature in-depth content focusing on 2-3 games for 20-30 minutes each.Collaboration with Hyundai will also take place, featuring the largest eSports championship finals in South Korea at G-Star, along with simulation racing experiences and events for attendees. Hyundai will also display its high-performance vehicles and actual race cars.However, the organizing committee emphasized that expanding into other content areas will not dilute G-Star's identity as a game exhibition. Jung stated, "Even as we broaden our scope, it will be done without compromising the fundamental value of a game exhibition. We are considering ways to expand content while maintaining the principle that G-Star must remain a game show." 2026-08-13 15:40:10
  • Woowa Brothers Releases New Book on Backend Development
    Woowa Brothers Releases New Book on Backend Development Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baedal Minjok, announced the release of a new book titled 'Recent Elegant Backend Development' on August 13. This book compiles the real-world experiences of backend developers from Woowa Brothers' technology blog, organized by topic. It delves into the challenges and solutions faced by developers in managing architecture, traffic, data consistency, external integrations, and incident responses while operating a large-scale service like Baemin.Backend development involves building and maintaining the core systems that ensure seamless operation of services, including order processing, payment, server management, and data handling.The book is divided into six sections: 1) Architectural challenges faced by Woowa, 2) Managing large-scale traffic, 3) Handling data, 4) Enhancing business outcomes through technology, 5) Experimenting with new possibilities using AI, and 6) Elegantly solving problems. It covers a wide range of topics from technical challenges to business and AI applications.Previously, Baedal Minjok published two other books related to its technology blog content: 'Recent Elegant Development' and 'Recent Elegant AI Development.'Ko Myung-seok, Chief Technology Officer of Woowa Brothers, stated, "I hope this book, which contains the insights and trials of our backend development journey, serves as a small milestone for developers on similar paths. We will continue to contribute to the growth of the domestic IT industry through active knowledge sharing."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 15:40:00
  • Japanese Investors Gain Access to U.S. Stocks During Tokyo Trading Hours
    Japanese Investors Gain Access to U.S. Stocks During Tokyo Trading Hours Japanese individual investors will be able to buy and sell U.S. stocks in real-time during Tokyo trading hours starting in December. Major U.S. stock exchanges are extending their trading hours to 23 hours a day, prompting large online brokerages in Japan to launch weekly trading services. This change means that Japanese stocks and U.S. stocks will compete in the same time frame. Concerns have arisen that younger investors, who are particularly interested in U.S. big tech companies, may shift away from Japanese stocks.According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on August 13, SBI Securities, Rakuten Securities, Monex Securities, and Matsui Securities plan to introduce trading services for U.S. stocks during the day starting December 6, when U.S. exchanges extend their trading hours. Mitsubishi UFJ e-Smart Securities is also considering a phased introduction of the service after assessing demand. The stocks available for trading will include those listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.A survey of 20 major Japanese securities firms by Nikkei found that nine of the 19 responding firms either plan to introduce or are considering introducing weekly trading services for U.S. stocks. Rakuten Securities will extend its trading hours from the current 16 hours, including after-hours trading, to 23 hours. Matsui Securities will also expand its trading hours from 6 PM to 6 AM the following day to 11 AM to 10 AM the next day, based on U.S. daylight saving time. PayPay Securities, which has allowed 24-hour trading of U.S. stocks, will revamp its system to offer services starting on the first day of the new 23-hour trading.In contrast, firms focused on face-to-face sales are more cautious. Only three firms—Okasan, Tokai Tokyo, and Mito Securities—indicated they are considering introducing the service. SMBC Nikko Securities and Ichiyoshi Securities stated they currently have no plans to implement it, while Nomura, Daiwa, and Mizuho Securities are still evaluating whether to proceed. Extending trading hours would require significant changes to core IT systems and adjustments in staff allocation. Since many customers are institutional investors, it is difficult to predict whether the costs incurred will yield sufficient returns.The expansion of services by Japanese brokerages has been made possible by the significant extension of night trading hours on major U.S. exchanges. Currently, the regular trading hours for U.S. markets are from 9:30 AM to 4 PM Eastern Time. This is supplemented by pre-market trading (from 4 AM) and after-hours trading (until 8 PM), totaling 16 hours, which translates to 6 PM to 10 AM the following day in Japan. The remaining eight hours, which correspond to midnight in the U.S. and daytime in Asia, have seen major exchanges closed. Starting December 6, this gap will be filled with night trading, allowing for 23 hours of trading, excluding one hour for system maintenance. In Japan, this will mean trading from 11 AM to 10 AM the next day. However, there are concerns that lower liquidity during night trading could lead to greater price volatility.In South Korea, weekly trading of U.S. stocks has already become commonplace. Eighteen domestic brokerages offer services that allow investors to buy and sell U.S. stocks during daytime hours in Korea through alternative trading systems. Japanese brokerages are thus entering the weekly trading market later than their South Korean counterparts. However, the difference lies in the fact that Japan's service expansion is directly tied to the U.S. exchanges extending their trading hours.Potential Outflow of Funds from Japanese Stock MarketNikkei pointed out that the extension of trading hours could lead to an outflow of individual funds from the Japanese stock market. Until now, Japanese individual investors have divided their trading between Japanese stocks during Tokyo's daytime hours and U.S. stocks during the nighttime hours when U.S. markets are open. In the future, they will be able to invest in U.S. stocks like NVIDIA and Apple while trading Toyota and Sony in real-time. Yuji Gusunoki, president of Rakuten Securities, predicted that once 23-hour trading begins, "some young investors who have been investing in Japanese stocks will shift to U.S. stocks."Even before the introduction of 23-hour trading, the volume of overseas stock trading by Japanese individual investors has been rapidly increasing. According to the Japanese Ministry of Finance, the trading volume of overseas stocks through investment trusts reached 77 trillion yen (approximately $686 billion) last year, nearly double that of five years ago. The popularity of funds that diversify investments across global stocks has contributed to this increase. While the Japanese government is promoting individual investment through the introduction of the new NISA (small investment tax exemption system) in 2024, some of the funds attracted by this system are flowing into overseas assets like U.S. stocks.The allure of the U.S. stock market is also growing. In June, Japanese investors flocked to the IPO of SpaceX on NASDAQ, and upcoming IPOs of major tech companies like OpenAI are also anticipated.Trading conditions for Japanese stocks are less favorable. U.S. stocks can be purchased in single shares, while Japanese stocks are typically sold in units of 100 shares, requiring a significant investment for high-priced stocks. The trading hours for the Tokyo Stock Exchange are also limited to 5 hours and 30 minutes, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM, excluding lunch breaks. Whether the Tokyo Stock Exchange will improve this trading environment remains to be seen. The decision by smartphone payment company PayPay to choose NASDAQ over the Tokyo Stock Exchange for its listing in March has raised concerns about the competitiveness of Japan's capital markets.Nikkei warned that if the 23-hour trading of U.S. stocks exacerbates the hollowing out of Japan's capital market, it could counteract the Japanese government's "asset management nation" policy, which aims to channel household savings into the investment market to grow Japanese companies and capital markets. As Japanese companies will need to compete for individual investors' choices against U.S. firms in the same time zone, the differentiation between Japanese stocks will likely become more pronounced.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 15:36:10