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Korean Minister Predicts Rental Trust Will Curb Gap Investment Kim Yoon-deok, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, expressed optimism that the government’s proposed ‘rental trust’ system will effectively curb gap investment using security deposits.During a briefing on August 13 regarding measures to stabilize the rental and sales markets, Kim responded to a question about whether the rental trust was designed to suppress gap investment, stating, “We believe it can indirectly have a significant effect in preventing gap investment.”The rental trust involves entrusting tenants' security deposits to a public entity, which manages the funds and pays the returns to landlords. This structure is expected to limit gap investment, where landlords use tenants' deposits to purchase additional properties.Kim highlighted the advantages of the system, noting that it provides stable income for landlords while ensuring the safety of tenants' deposits. He explained, “After much consideration and discussion, we prepared this. For landlords, it offers a significant advantage of stable income, and for tenants, it alleviates concerns about rental fraud.”According to Kim, a recent government survey indicated a certain level of demand for the system, with about 20% of landlords expressing interest. He remarked, “While this is not a large enough proportion to dominate the entire market, it represents a significant portion that could help stabilize the rental market.”Meanwhile, the government plans to launch a pilot program for the rental trust by the end of this year. Officials expect the initiative to help block the recycling of security deposits into home purchase funds while reducing the risk of rental fraud. However, challenges remain in ensuring that the operational returns for landlords and the structure for returning deposits to tenants are effectively addressed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 12:08:00
South Korea Confirms 73,000 New Public Housing Units After Local Government Talks The South Korean government has confirmed that it has completed discussions with local authorities regarding the location of 73,000 new public housing units that have not yet been disclosed. The government plans to reveal the locations once the necessary administrative procedures are finalized.During a briefing on rapid housing supply measures on August 13, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok stated, "We have already finished discussions with local governments" regarding the undisclosed new housing sites. He added, "The reason for not announcing them yet is due to the administrative review process."On the same day, the government announced plans to designate new public housing districts in prime locations, including transit-oriented areas in the metropolitan region, aiming to supply over 100,000 housing units. Of these, 27,000 units in three districts—Gangseo in Seoul, Namyangju city, and Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province—were prioritized for immediate disclosure.Kim explained that as the review process involving community consensus progresses, the locations will naturally be made public. He also hinted at the possibility that the undisclosed sites may include areas within the greenbelt.While emphasizing the importance of preserving greenbelt areas, Kim noted, "If we can boldly lift restrictions on the greenbelt to build homes, it could significantly stabilize supply." He further stated, "We will focus on areas that are already significantly damaged, classified as grades 3 to 4, and actively prepare for additional supply in consultation with the Seoul city and local governments."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 12:08:00
Government Unveils Financial Support Measures to Boost Housing Supply The government is set to address funding bottlenecks in the housing supply and occupancy process by expanding public guarantees for real estate project financing (PF) and easing regulations on balance and relocation loans. The initiative aims to support funding for construction sites and alleviate loan bottlenecks during redevelopment and occupancy phases, thereby facilitating cash flow in the real estate market.On August 13, the Financial Services Commission announced a comprehensive financial plan aimed at stabilizing the real estate market. The core of this plan is to increase financial support for housing supply to over 47.8 trillion won and to ensure smooth funding for PF projects and redevelopment and occupancy stages.To ensure a steady supply of funds to normal construction sites, the government plans to increase public guarantees to an average of 28.7 trillion won annually over the next three years. This is 2.2 times higher than the previous three-year average of 13.1 trillion won. In 2027, when the number of planned construction starts is expected to be the lowest, 33 trillion won will be concentrated to enhance supply effects. The guarantee ratio for residential projects will also be temporarily increased from the current 90-95% to 100%, and the reduction in PF guarantee fees by 30% will be extended until the end of 2027.Funds will also be allocated to address troubled PF projects. A new 3 trillion won fund will be established to support the normalization of PF projects, and the size of syndicate loans from banks and insurance companies will be expanded from the current 1 trillion won to 5 trillion won. The financial sector's own normalization fund will increase from 7.3 trillion won to 10 trillion won. This initiative aims to serve as a catalyst for funding, as PF exposure decreased from 231.1 trillion won at the end of 2023 to 169.8 trillion won by the end of March this year, causing funding difficulties even for normal projects.To promote housing supply, the implementation of capital ratio regulations for PF projects will be postponed by two years. Originally scheduled to be phased in starting in 2027, this will now be delayed until 2029 to reduce the financial burden on construction companies and the financial sector.While maintaining a consistent management approach for household loans, the government will ease regulations specifically related to housing loans for housing supply. Loans for relocation costs related to reconstruction and redevelopment, as well as interim and balance loans for newly constructed complexes, will be managed separately from the overall household loan management targets to support supply measures.This year, the target growth rate for total household debt will be adjusted from the initial 1.5% to around 3%. However, the increased borrowing capacity will be directed not towards general housing purchase demand but towards policy objectives such as relocation costs, interim and balance loans, and youth housing stability.As a result, the confusion surrounding balance loans for properties like 'The D.H. Bangbae' in Seoul and 'Maegyo Station Palusid' in Suwon, which are set for occupancy in September, is expected to ease somewhat. Shin Jin-chang, the Secretary General of the Financial Services Commission, stated, "Through consultations with the financial sector on the 14th, the overall management level will be clarified, and we expect that immediate inconveniences on the ground will significantly decrease."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 12:04:20
Final Checks for Small Satellite Cluster 2-6 Ahead of Nuri Rocket Launch The development of South Korea's first cluster of small satellites, designated Small Satellite Cluster 2-6, has been completed, and preparations for the fifth launch of the Nuri rocket are underway. Once a total of 10 satellites are established by 2027, they will be able to capture images of the Korean Peninsula more than three times a day.The Korea Space Agency (Korea Space Agency) announced that it has completed the development of Small Satellite Cluster 2-6 in collaboration with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and held a pre-transport review meeting (PSR) on August 13.The small satellite cluster system development project aims to operate 10 small Earth observation satellites, each weighing less than 100 kg, in a cluster to conduct high-frequency, precise observations of the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters. The satellites will be divided into two orbital planes, with five satellites operating along the same trajectory in each plane.Each satellite will be equipped with an electro-optical camera capable of capturing black-and-white images with a resolution of 1 meter and color images with a resolution of 4 meters from low Earth orbit.During the review meeting, the results of the production and environmental tests of the first five mass-produced units were examined, along with the compatibility of the Nuri rocket, launch preparations, and the status of ground station and initial operation readiness, confirming the feasibility of the launch.Small Satellite Cluster 2-6 is the first domestically mass-produced Earth observation satellite, made using low-cost components. Based on the operational results of the prototype launched in April 2024 and the verification satellite launched in January this year, improvements were made to the cluster operation technology and thrust performance, completing the production, assembly, and environmental testing of the mass-produced units.Small Satellite Cluster 2-6 is set to be launched aboard the Nuri rocket from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. After the launch, initial communications, status checks, payload functionality tests, and image verification and correction will be conducted before entering full-scale cluster operations. The fifth launch of the Nuri rocket is scheduled for late October.By 2027, a total of 10 cluster satellites will be established, enabling the capture of images of the Korean Peninsula more than three times a day and the ability to re-capture the same location within 24 hours. The Korea Space Agency expects this capability will allow for quicker acquisition of imagery needed for national security and disaster response.Han Jae-hung, head of the KAIST Satellite Research Institute, stated, "This pre-transport review meeting is significant as it confirms that we are ready to mass-produce and simultaneously launch and operate five satellites with the same design." He added, "We will carry out the Nuri rocket launch, initial operations, and cluster deployment without any issues."Kim Jin-hee, head of the satellite division at the Korea Space Agency, remarked, "The launch of Small Satellite Cluster 2-6 marks the first instance of launching five cluster satellites simultaneously in South Korea," emphasizing the importance of this transition from single satellite production to mass production and cluster operation in domestic satellite development.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 12:04:20
Government Discovers 23 Private Vehicle Inspection Stations Engaging in Illegal Practices The government has identified 23 private vehicle inspection stations across the country that engaged in illegal practices, including failing to record inspection scenes. While the number of violating stations remained the same compared to the previous quarter, the number of serious violations has decreased.The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and local governments, conducted a special joint inspection of 201 private vehicle inspection stations over three weeks starting in June. The findings were announced on August 13.The inspections targeted stations with unusually low failure rates or a high proportion of inspections for commercial vehicles, as well as those with frequent complaints about poor practices.Among the major violations, poor record-keeping of inspection scenes accounted for six cases (26.1%), while five cases (21.7%) involved partial omissions of inspections. Additionally, three cases (13%) did not meet facility and equipment standards, and nine cases (39.1%) fell into other categories.In terms of administrative actions, there were 10 business suspensions and 13 cases of fines and administrative guidance. This marks a decrease of 13 business suspensions compared to the second half of last year, which had 23 cases.During the inspections, one station was found to have illegally modified its emissions measurement equipment. Such equipment must undergo strict formal approval to ensure reliability, and any changes to critical components require prior approval.The identified inspection stations will face local corrective actions or business suspensions ranging from a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of 30 days, depending on the severity of the violations. Additionally, seven technical personnel involved in the illegal activities will face suspension from their duties.Kim Jin-sik, Director of the Air Quality Division at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "Through continuous joint inspections by the government and local authorities, serious violations have decreased compared to the second half of last year. We will continue to work closely with relevant agencies to establish proper vehicle inspection standards and ensure public safety and environmental protection." 2026-08-13 12:04:20
New System Allows Public to Report Illegal Activities in Rivers and Valleys The South Korean government is launching a new system that allows citizens to officially verify river and valley zones and report illegal activities directly from their smartphones. The 'Clean Summer' system will be operational starting August 14, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on August 13.The name of the system will be finalized in September after gathering feedback from users during the trial period. The government has been actively monitoring illegal activities in rivers and valleys, but managing all areas continuously has proven challenging. The 'Clean Summer' initiative aims to fill these gaps by encouraging public participation to quickly identify violations.Citizens who notice suspicious activities, such as unauthorized facility installations or illegal fees at vacation spots, can verify whether the location is within a river zone and report it immediately using their smartphones.The 'Clean Summer' system provides map-based spatial information that overlays aerial photos and river zone data, allowing users to easily check if structures like buildings or platforms are located within designated river areas. Users can select suspicious points on the map, which will automatically connect them to the reporting interface for easy submission.The Ministry plans to continuously improve the system based on user feedback and issues raised during the trial operation.In conjunction with the launch, a public participation event titled 'Together, Let's Create Clean Rivers and Valleys' will be held from August 15 to September 14. Citizens interested in participating can post on social media about the Clean River and Valley system or share photos of themselves enjoying water activities in clean areas. A drawing will be held for 100 participants to receive beverage vouchers worth 10,000 won.Kim Yong-kyun, head of the Natural Disaster Management Office, urged the public to actively report any suspected illegal activities in rivers and valleys using the Clean Summer system. He added that the government will conduct special inspections throughout August to eradicate illegal activities and ensure that everyone can enjoy clean rivers and valleys.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 12:04:20
South Korea Eases Housing Regulations to Boost Non-Apartment Construction The South Korean government is easing building regulations to allow for larger and taller non-apartment housing, including multi-family and multi-unit dwellings, while expanding construction financing support.On August 13, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced a plan for rapid housing supply aimed at stabilizing the rental and sales markets. The government will relax regulations on building area and height for multi-family and multi-unit housing, while also addressing sunlight-related regulations. This initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on supply developers and support actual buyers, including young people, in purchasing non-apartment housing.The most significant change involves the relaxation of building area and height regulations. The building area limit for multi-family and multi-unit housing will increase from the current 660 square meters to under 1000 square meters. This change allows for more efficient land use by enabling developers to construct single buildings rather than multiple smaller ones. Industry stakeholders have previously criticized the existing regulations for making it difficult to create efficient housing layouts and for requiring unnecessary neighborhood facilities.Height restrictions for multi-unit housing will also be eased from three stories to four. This change allows for an additional floor on the same plot of land, which the government estimates could increase the number of units by approximately 33% within the same area. Additionally, when constructing urban-type multi-family housing, there are plans to allow for a height increase from five to six stories, subject to review by the building committee.Sunlight regulations will also be relaxed. Previously, non-apartment buildings had to be constructed at an angle for the upper floors, which reduced usable space. The existing rule required that if a building exceeded 10 meters in height, it had to be set back from the property line by half its height. The new guidelines will allow for a setback of only 5 meters for buildings between 10 and 17 meters tall. A proposed amendment to the building law will also permit vertical construction, including piloti, and is expected to be implemented by the end of the year after the establishment of subordinate regulations.The financial burden on supply developers will also be reduced. The limit for construction financing will increase from 70 million won to 90 million won, and the interest rate will decrease from 3.5% to 3.2%. Loans for new construction and demolition purposes will now allow a loan-to-value ratio of up to 60%, up from the previous 0%.Kim Deok-rye, a senior researcher at the Korea Housing Industry Institute, commented on the expansion of building area, stating, "This will help expand living spaces." However, he noted that the height regulations should be further relaxed to 6 or 7 stories to consider economic viability and demand.Nam Hyuk-woo, a researcher at Woori Bank, described the new measures as a comprehensive support plan aimed at revitalizing the non-apartment market, which has been sluggish since the recent rental fraud incidents. He cautioned, however, that if support is concentrated on new housing, rising material and labor costs could lead to higher sale prices and rents, limiting actual demand.Nam also emphasized that existing multi-family and multi-unit housing still face transaction restrictions due to loan regulations, suggesting that easing regulations on existing non-apartment properties is necessary to broaden options for actual buyers and increase the availability of properties in the market. 2026-08-13 12:04:10
Korea's Housing Minister Secures Over 100,000 New Homes in Seoul and Surrounding Areas Korea's Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok announced plans to mobilize both public and private supply capabilities to stabilize the housing market. The government aims to secure over 100,000 new public housing units while accelerating the construction timelines for existing public sites and redevelopment projects, targeting an additional supply of more than 230,000 homes in the metropolitan area.During a briefing on August 13 regarding measures for stabilizing the rental and sales markets, Kim stated, "We will do our utmost to supply the housing that the public wants, in the locations they desire, sufficiently and in a timely manner."He emphasized the need for a different approach to address the slow recovery of private housing supply, which constitutes the majority of the market.Kim noted, "We will minimize the time lag between policy announcements and supply through a groundbreaking innovation in supply speed, as well as by preparing proactive improvements across regulations, finance, and taxation." The government plans to increase the supply speed of the existing 9·7 measures while adding over 230,000 homes in the metropolitan area.Initially, the government will supply more than 100,000 homes through new public housing districts. The three districts announced, including Gangseo in Seoul, Namyangju city center, and Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province, will provide 27,000 homes, with construction expected to begin within three to four years. The remaining 73,000 homes will be announced in phases.Existing public sites will also see accelerated timelines. The period from site announcement to construction will be reduced from the current 68 months to about 37 months, and the construction start for 89,000 homes in the third new town will be advanced by one to two years.Kim explained, "We will streamline and expedite the procedures that have been sequentially carried out at each stage of land development, such as permits and compensation." Measures to prevent speculation, including designating land transaction permission zones, will also be applied to new sites.The government will also expand housing supply in urban areas. It plans to support the construction of 234,000 homes in the metropolitan area by 2030 through accelerated redevelopment and reconstruction projects. This includes easing the agreement rate for redevelopment associations, improving relocation loan conditions, and increasing the purchase price for public contribution rental housing. The establishment of a mediation committee for maintenance projects within the Ministry of Land is also under consideration.In the second half of the year, the government will select new candidate sites for urban public housing complex projects in Seoul, aiming for 10,000 to 20,000 units. This initiative is part of a broader goal to start construction on 51,000 homes by 2030, including 22,000 homes from small-scale maintenance projects.Kim stated that through redevelopment, reconstruction, urban complexes, and small-scale maintenance projects, the government aims to supply 30,000 homes annually in Seoul, exceeding the long-term average of 22,000.To revive private housing supply, financial and tax support will also be expanded. Starting in the second half of the year, the government will launch a 1 trillion won PF development anchor REITs project and plans to create an additional 400 billion won housing-specific anchor REITs in the metropolitan area next year.For projects starting in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province by 2027, the government will subsidize 1 percentage point of PF loan interest from its budget, and for projects starting in 2028, it will provide a 0.5 percentage point subsidy. Public PF guarantee fees will also be reduced by 30%.Supply of non-apartment housing, such as villas and multi-family homes, will be increased. The government will relax regulations on building area, number of floors, and sunlight for multi-family and multi-unit buildings, and expand fund loans. The exemption from housing count for newly built non-apartments will also be extended until 2028.Efforts to restore housing opportunities for young people and newlyweds will be pursued. About 15% of public sale units will be offered in equity accumulation or profit-sharing formats, with sales expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Universal public rental and youth lease rental programs will also be newly introduced.To enhance the execution of supply measures, the government plans to establish a "Rapid Housing Supply Inspection Meeting" chaired by the Prime Minister and a "Rapid Supply Innovation Team" led by the Vice Minister of Land.Kim concluded, "To ensure housing stability for the public, it is crucial to strengthen the supply foundation. We will promptly fulfill the responsibilities of the public sector and boldly support areas where the private sector excels."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 12:04:10
PharmaResearch Expands 'Rejuran' Clinical Training in Australia, Accelerating K-Aesthetic Global Strategy PharmaResearch is intensifying its efforts to penetrate the Australian market by providing focused clinical training on its flagship product, 'Rejuran,' to local medical professionals. The company announced on August 13 that it participated in the 'Aesthetics 2026' international symposium held in Sydney, Australia, where it conducted academic lectures and a 'Rejuran Clinical Masterclass' program centered on Rejuran. Aesthetics 2026 is an event where dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aesthetic experts from Australia share the latest advancements in aesthetic medicine and clinical experiences. The symposium is hosted by Dr. Steven Liu, a specialist in aesthetic plastic surgery. Key speakers at the academic lectures included Dr. Noh Nak-kyung, director of Cheongdam Leaders Dermatology, and Dr. Choi Ho-sung, director of Choi's Dermatology Clinic. They presented treatment plans and procedures based on real clinical cases, focusing on skin barrier improvement, pigmentation, and under-eye skin enhancement. During the Clinical Masterclass, PharmaResearch highlighted the manufacturing technology and clinical evidence of Rejuran, which is based on its proprietary DNA Optimizing Technology (DOT). The program covered patient selection and consultation, individualized treatment plans, and specific procedural methods that Australian medical professionals can apply in their practices. In a separate 'K-Session,' the latest clinical trends in K-Aesthetics and the procedural experiences of domestic medical professionals were shared. The focus was on conveying treatment design and procedural approaches tailored to individual patients, beyond just product introductions. Discussions with Dr. Steven Liu also included potential collaborations for developing academic content suitable for Australian patients and clinical environments, as well as training for medical professionals. Rejuran made its entry into the Australian market after becoming the first PN formulation to receive product approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in 2023. Rejuran is a medical device that utilizes polynucleotides (PN) extracted from salmon as its main ingredient, aimed at improving the regenerative environment of skin tissue. A representative from PharmaResearch stated, "We have confirmed that Rejuran is expanding its influence in the global aesthetic medicine market, including Australia, based on academic achievements and clinical evidence beyond Asia." Meanwhile, K-Aesthetics is accelerating its global market penetration and continuing its revenue growth. PharmaResearch reported a consolidated revenue of 324.8 billion won and an operating profit of 123.8 billion won for the first half of the year, marking its highest performance for that period. Exports reached 142.8 billion won, a 47% increase compared to the same period last year. The expansion of Rejuran exports, particularly in Europe, along with a 92% increase in cosmetic exports, has been analyzed as a driving force behind the company's global business growth.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 11:52:00
KOSPI surges 4.1% , outperforms in Asia amid chip-led rally SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - South Korean stocks surged Thursday morning, with the benchmark KOSPI jumping more than 4 percent above the 6,800 mark as foreign investors piled into semiconductor heavyweights, extending a rapid rebound from last month's market rout. The KOSPI stood at 6,847.66 as of 10:30 a.m., up 4.1 percent from the previous session. The index climbed as high as 6,895.63 after touching a low of 6,773.92, leaving an intraday trading range of 121.71 points. Foreign investors were firmly on the buying side, purchasing a net 1.37 trillion won ($969 million) of KOSPI shares, while institutions added a net 345.2 billion won. Individuals moved sharply in the opposite direction, unloading a net 1.69 trillion won, or about $1.19 billion. That divergence underscored the character of Thursday's rally: overseas and institutional money was returning aggressively to the large-cap technology names that drove the market's earlier boom, while retail investors continued to use the rebound to reduce exposure after weeks of extreme volatility. The latest level puts the KOSPI roughly 30 percent above its July 29 intraday low of 5,262.77, comfortably clearing the 20-percent gain from a recent low commonly used to define a technical bull market. The rebound follows a brutal July selloff that marked the KOSPI's largest monthly decline since the 2008 global financial crisis. Semiconductors subdued throughout this month returned to the spotlight. SK hynix jumped 7.3 percent to 1,613,000 won, while Samsung Electronics gained 5.1 percent to 268,750 won. Samsung Electro-Mechanics surged 13 percent to 1,508,000 won, extending the rally beyond memory producers into the broader electronics supply chain. The move followed a strong session for U.S. artificial-intelligence infrastructure stocks overnight. AI cloud provider CoreWeave and server maker Super Micro Computer each climbed about 19 percent, while memory chipmaker Micron Technology gained about 5 percent, reinforcing expectations that spending on AI computing infrastructure remains intact. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.5 percent. Other KOSPI stocks joined the advance. Samwha Capacitor soared 21.7 percent to 107,100 won, while semiconductor equipment maker Mirae Industry climbed 16.7 percent to 9,990 won. Naver rose 5.1 percent to 226,500 won, Kolmar Korea gained 3.2 percent to 136,700 won, and Kumho Engineering & Construction advanced 2.4 percent to 15,290 won. Daewon Cable bucked the broader rally, falling 3.1 percent to 15,530 won. Electronic equipment and device stocks were the strongest industry group, rising 10.2 percent, while the semiconductor and semiconductor equipment category advanced 5.9 percent, showing that buying was spreading from the two dominant memory names into smaller suppliers and component makers. The rally comes as concerns over the durability of global AI investment have begun to ease. Those concerns were a major force behind the sharp decline in Korean technology shares in July, when leveraged positions were rapidly unwound and Samsung Electronics and SK hynix accounted for much of the KOSPI's lost market capitalization. Retail participation, however, has yet to show the same recovery. Investor deposits at domestic securities firms stood at 97.93 trillion won as of Aug. 11, slipping below 100 trillion won after investors withdrew cash during the market downturn. The broader migration toward overseas assets had already accelerated in July, when Korean retail investors bought a net $4.6 billion of U.S. equities, according to Korea Securities Depository data. KOSDAQ rises 1.2%, but foreign investors remain sellers The smaller-cap KOSDAQ was up 1.2 percent at 867.99 at 10:30 a.m., lagging the KOSPI's semiconductor-heavy rally. The index reached an intraday high of 870.96 after falling as low as 853.09, a range of 17.87 points. Unlike on the main board, retail investors supplied the buying power. Individuals purchased a net 165.7 billion won ($117 million) of KOSDAQ shares, while foreign investors sold a net 88.3 billion won and institutions shed 71.1 billion won. The contrast with the KOSPI was notable: foreign money was concentrating in Korea's largest semiconductor and technology companies rather than moving uniformly into riskier smaller-cap shares. Still, pockets of the KOSDAQ posted steep gains. Jeju Semiconductor rose 4 percent to 90,500 won, while semiconductor back-end processing company Winpac surged 23.9 percent to 2,300 won and semiconductor test-interface maker TFE jumped 14.6 percent to 39,600 won. Electronic component names were also among the strongest performers. EV Advanced Material climbed 21.5 percent to 875 won, while LK Samyang surged 19.9 percent to 1,298 won. Venture-capital shares emerged as another major theme, with the sector gaining 7.9 percent. Aju IB Investment hit a 29.9 percent gain at 4,585 won, SV Investment jumped 16.3 percent to 2,495 won, and Mirae Asset Venture Investment advanced 13.2 percent to 18,355 won. The strength in venture-capital, semiconductor equipment and electronic component shares indicated that the morning rally was beginning to broaden beyond the headline memory-chip names, although the weaker foreign flow on the KOSDAQ showed that the expansion remained uneven. Won strengthens as oil retreats The Korean won strengthened 0.3 percent to 1,415.1 won per dollar, adding to the risk-on tone in Seoul. Oil prices, meanwhile, pulled back after six consecutive sessions of gains. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 1.4 percent to $82.10 a barrel, while Brent crude declined 1.3 percent to $87.81. Oil was pressured by a massive increase in U.S. inventories. Commercial crude stocks rose by 17.4 million barrels in the week ended Aug. 7, the largest weekly increase since January 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Middle East risks nevertheless remained elevated. U.S.-Iran negotiations remained stalled, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington had "total control" of the Strait of Hormuz. The International Energy Agency has also warned that disruptions linked to the conflict continue to constrain global supply. Korea leads broader Asian advance The rally extended across much of Asia, though Korea clearly outperformed. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 1.6 percent to 68,613.56, while China's Shanghai Composite gained 0.5 percent to 3,965.44. Hong Kong moved in the opposite direction, with the Hang Seng Index down 0.1 percent at 25,407.8. Regional equities were supported by overnight U.S. inflation data that eased fears of another Federal Reserve rate increase in September, alongside renewed strength in AI-related technology shares. Reuters reported that the broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan was also higher Thursday morning. AJP Takeaway: ·South Korea's KOSPI surged 4.1 percent to 6,847.66 at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 13, led by 1.37 trillion won of net foreign buying and sharp gains in semiconductor shares. ·SK hynix rose 7.3 percent and Samsung Electronics gained 5.1 percent, helping lift the KOSPI roughly 22 percent from its July 30 close and into technical bull-market territory. ·Retail investors sold a net 1.69 trillion won of KOSPI shares, showing that the rebound remains foreign- and institution-led despite the index's rapid recovery. 2026-08-13 11:44:27