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  • KOSPI Set to Rebound Amid U.S. Inflation Relief and Strong Semiconductor Stocks
    KOSPI Set to Rebound Amid U.S. Inflation Relief and Strong Semiconductor Stocks Today, South Korea's stock market is expected to attempt a significant rebound, buoyed by stable inflation in the U.S. and strong performance in AI semiconductor stocks. Following a surge in buying interest in memory semiconductors on U.S. exchanges, the KOSPI is likely to open higher. However, following recent sharp declines, there may be volatility in trading due to profit-taking and fluctuations in leveraged positions, potentially widening intraday price movements. On the night of July 14, the New York Stock Exchange closed higher as the June Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in below market expectations, easing inflation concerns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.02% to close at 52,508.27, while the S&P 500 gained 0.38% and the Nasdaq increased by 0.90%. The June CPI in the U.S. rose 3.5% year-over-year, falling short of the anticipated 3.8%, and decreased by 0.4% from the previous month, marking the largest drop since April 2020. Consequently, concerns over further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve have eased, with the probability of a rate increase in July dropping from 42% to 17%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. Expectations for increased investment in AI infrastructure have led to a strong performance in the semiconductor sector. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose by 2.54%, and SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts surged 27.29% after Barclays set a target price of $330, citing ongoing memory supply shortages and potential valuation adjustments. Micron and SanDisk also saw gains of 4.9% and 5.0%, respectively, boosting investor sentiment in memory-related stocks. Although IBM's shares plummeted over 25% due to concerns about slowing investment in its software division, the market interpreted this as a signal that companies are expanding their investments in AI infrastructure, particularly in servers, storage, and memory. The domestic stock market is also expected to see a strong rebound, particularly among large-cap semiconductor stocks. As of 8:27 a.m. in pre-market trading, SK Hynix was up 8.42% at 2,074,000 won, while SK Square rose 8.99% to 1,297,000 won. Samsung Electronics increased by 5.89% to 278,500 won, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics climbed 5.95% to 1,335,000 won, indicating a wave of buying interest in major AI and semiconductor stocks. Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Given that the domestic stock market has faced unprecedented adjustments akin to a financial crisis, there is little room for further declines in stock prices or valuations. It is essential to align the market's direction with a recovery path rather than additional adjustments." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 08:36:00
  • Chinas Policy Shift? Semiconductor Excess Profits and Xi Jinpings Common Prosperity Remarks Revisited
    China's Policy Shift? Semiconductor Excess Profits and Xi Jinping's 'Common Prosperity' Remarks Revisited Discussions on the distribution of excess profits in the semiconductor industry have brought renewed attention to remarks made by Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding 'common prosperity.'On July 15, a post titled 'Common Prosperity Abandoned by China' appeared on an online community forum.The post highlighted Xi's statement from 2015, where he emphasized that 'the fruits of development should be shared by the people, and we must steadily advance towards a direction where all people become prosperous together,' focusing on income redistribution as part of the common prosperity policy. However, in 2025, Xi shifted his stance, stating that 'the wealthy should promote common prosperity,' encouraging the growth and investment of private enterprises.Internet users reacted, noting, 'Even a communist country like China is changing its policy direction, while South Korea is discussing the redistribution of excess profits.'One user remarked, 'One reason to study history is to avoid repeating others' failures; I don't understand why we insist on trying again, claiming 'I am different.'Other users commented, 'The Democratic Party seems intent on importing failed policies from abroad,' and 'It looks like we are simply imitating a communist state,' among other critical remarks.This controversy is seen as a continuation of discussions from a government-hosted forum on semiconductor excess profit distribution held the previous day.On July 14, a discussion titled 'A New Path for Social Innovation in Line with AI Technology Innovation' took place at Peace and Park in Yongsan, Seoul.The government explained that the forum was organized to discuss how to share excess profits generated in the semiconductor and AI industries with workers, partner companies, and society, particularly in light of the controversy surrounding Samsung Electronics' performance bonuses. Key topics included the concept of excess profits, an N% performance bonus system, wage disparities between primary and subcontracted workers, and methods for sharing social benefits.During the forum, representatives from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions stated, 'We do not believe shareholders have ownership rights over corporate profits,' and 'Dividends are merely a procedurally defined right,' which sparked further debate.Participants expressed critical views, saying, 'Start by recovering excess profits from the salaries of the president and lawmakers based on minimum wage,' and 'It seems like they presented this without any economic principles,' among other comments.It is important to note that the discussions held at this forum were intended for public dialogue on policy direction, and the introduction of a profit redistribution system has not been finalized. 2026-07-15 08:32:00
  • Korea Investment & Securities Raises GS Retail Target Price by 10% Amid Strong Performance
    Korea Investment & Securities Raises GS Retail Target Price by 10% Amid Strong Performance Korea Investment & Securities announced on July 15 that it has raised its target price for GS Retail from 30,000 won to 33,000 won, a 10% increase, citing strong performance in the convenience store and home shopping sectors. The firm maintained its 'buy' rating.Kim Myung-joo, a researcher at Korea Investment & Securities, stated, "The convenience store and home shopping industries are performing better than expected. Given the rapidly changing market conditions and the significant volatility in retail stocks, GS Retail, with its clear performance improvement and no risk of valuation decline, is likely to be viewed as a defensive stock in the market."For the second quarter, GS Retail is projected to report consolidated sales of 3.1628 trillion won and operating profit of 101.1 billion won, representing increases of 6.1% and 19.7%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. The operating profit is expected to meet market expectations.The performance improvement is anticipated to be driven evenly across all business divisions. The convenience store division is expected to see same-store sales growth of 5.0% to 5.5%, with operating profit rising to 68.7 billion won, a 16.5% increase year-on-year. Kim noted, "Like its competitors, GS Retail will also see a significant reduction in depreciation costs this year. This, along with favorable weather conditions, is expected to improve the operating profit margin of the convenience store division by 0.3 percentage points compared to the same period last year."The supermarket and home shopping divisions are also expected to contribute to performance improvements. The supermarket division is projected to achieve operating profit of 8.5 billion won, a 58.2% increase year-on-year, while home shopping is expected to see operating profit rise to 27.1 billion won, a 7.5% increase, driven by strong sales of high-margin products.The convenience store market is also expected to stabilize gradually. With the bankruptcy of Homeplus and a slowdown in the decline of convenience store numbers, the market share of the convenience store channel is expected to remain at this year's level next year. GS Retail has also seen a slight increase in the number of stores in the second quarter, following a similar trend in the first quarter.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 08:32:00
  • Song Young-gil Criticizes Jeong Cheong-raes Divergence from Lee Jae-myung
    Song Young-gil Criticizes Jeong Cheong-rae's Divergence from Lee Jae-myung Song Young-gil, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized former leader Jeong Cheong-rae on July 15, stating that Jeong has diverged from President Lee Jae-myung. He also ruled out any possibility of unification with former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok.During an appearance on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Song remarked, "There was no chemistry between the president and the party."He added, "It seems that Jeong has been contemplating independent politics. It appears he has not been able to separate public and private matters since meeting President Lee when he was a lawyer."Regarding Jeong's statement during his candidacy announcement that he would not run for president using his position, Song said, "That was unexpected. It is being interpreted as a criticism of President Lee."Song also emphasized his distinctiveness from Kim Min-seok, stating, "I am the only candidate with administrative experience as a regional governor. The party leader should not be a passive figure following the president but should gather public sentiment and persuade the president."He firmly stated that there would be no unification with Kim Min-seok due to the introduction of a preference voting system. "The preference voting system will naturally lead to alliances," he said, adding, "If someone withdraws midway, it loses its meaning. We must see it through to the end."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 08:32:00
  • Foreign shoppers fuel record first-half sales at South Koreas department stores
    Foreign shoppers fuel record first-half sales at South Korea's department stores SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - Foreign tourists spent a record 1.72 trillion won ($1.24 billion) at South Korea's three largest department store chains in the first half of 2026, as inbound travelers broadened their spending from luxury goods to Korean fashion, beauty and dining. Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store and Hyundai Department Store each posted record first-half foreign sales, according to industry data released on Tuesday. Lotte led with 640 billion won in foreign sales, followed by Shinsegae at 580 billion won and Hyundai at about 500 billion won. All three retailers expect annual foreign sales to surpass 1 trillion won this year if current growth continues. Lotte said its first-half foreign sales reached a record 640 billion won, nearly matching its full-year 2025 total of 734.8 billion won. The retailer expects to exceed last year's annual figure this month and said foreign sales could top the 1 trillion won mark as early as the third quarter. Foreign sales of luxury goods at Lotte rose about 130 percent from a year earlier, while fashion sales climbed 135 percent. At its flagship Myeong-dong store, foreign shoppers accounted for roughly 30 percent of total sales, with foreign revenue jumping 140 percent on year. At its K-fashion specialty zone, "Kinetic Ground," overseas visitors generated about 70 percent of total sales. Tourist spending has also expanded beyond central Seoul. Foreign sales at Lotte World Mall in Jamsil rose 120 percent in the first half, while its Busan flagship store and Dongbusan outlet posted increases of 150 percent and 170 percent, respectively. Shinsegae reported first-half foreign sales of 580 billion won, up 120 percent from a year earlier and equivalent to about 90 percent of its full-year 2025 foreign sales. The retailer said the composition of overseas shoppers has become more diversified. Chinese customers accounted for 48.5 percent of foreign sales in the first half, down from 77.5 percent in 2019, while the share of U.S. customers increased to 19.1 percent from 1.1 percent over the same period. Visitors from Southeast Asia and other Asian markets also increased their share to 14.9 percent from 4.4 percent. By category, luxury goods sales rose 129.3 percent, followed by men's fashion at 110 percent, women's fashion at 89.4 percent, cosmetics at 87.3 percent and food and beverages at 62.9 percent, suggesting tourist spending is broadening beyond high-end brands into Korean lifestyle products. Hyundai Department Store posted about 500 billion won in foreign sales during the January-June period, already exceeding 70 percent of its full-year 2025 total of around 700 billion won. Foreign sales at its flagship The Hyundai Seoul store surged 134 percent from a year earlier, with overseas visitors accounting for more than 20 percent of total sales. The company also expects annual foreign sales to exceed 1 trillion won for the first time. Department store operators attributed the growth not only to the recovery in inbound tourism but also to a shift in travel patterns, with independent travelers increasingly viewing department stores as destinations where they can experience K-fashion, K-beauty, food and cultural offerings in one location. Retailers are also expanding services tailored to overseas visitors. Hyundai has added real-time voice translation to its AI shopping assistant and expanded language support to Spanish and French, while strengthening partnerships with overseas retail operators. Lotte plans to introduce QR code and near-field communication (NFC) payments through a partnership with UnionPay in September and has expanded its presence on major Chinese digital platforms. Shinsegae said it is working with tourism authorities to attract more visitors from North America, Europe and Taiwan while strengthening promotions with global payment platforms. 2026-07-15 08:27:00
  • President Yoon Discusses UK-South Korea Relations with Princess Anne
    President Yoon Discusses UK-South Korea Relations with Princess Anne President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, to discuss ways to enhance the friendship and cooperation between South Korea and the UK.According to the Blue House, President Yoon welcomed Princess Anne and her husband, Timothy Laurence, at the Blue House on July 14. He referenced the participation of British troops in the Korean War and the background of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' establishment.“The UK is a grateful country that has helped our nation grow,” President Yoon said.He expressed his pleasure at Princess Anne's visit to South Korea, her third since the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Princess Anne responded, “I am very happy to visit Korea again after eight years.”Princess Anne also shared her visit to the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, where she paid tribute to British veterans, expressing gratitude for the well-maintained memorials. She emphasized the importance of conveying the history of war to future generations.Additionally, she praised South Korea's shipbuilding, heavy industry, and steelmaking technologies after visiting HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, calling them “remarkable.”President Yoon noted that the late Queen Elizabeth II's state visit to South Korea in 1999 was a significant milestone in UK-South Korea diplomatic history. He expressed hope that Princess Anne's visit would serve as a new milestone in the friendship between the two countries and added, “I hope exchanges between the Korean and British royal families will continue.”Princess Anne conveyed her desire for President Yoon to visit the UK. In response, President Yoon suggested discussing specific details through diplomatic channels, expressing his hope to meet again.Before their meeting, the two engaged in a friendly conversation. When President Yoon asked how many times she had visited Korea, Princess Anne replied, “This is my fourth visit; I came during the Seoul Olympics and the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.”After the meeting, President Yoon took to X (formerly Twitter) to state, “South Korea and the UK are global strategic partners that have expanded cooperation in various fields, including security, economy, advanced technology, and culture, based on shared values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.”He added, “The UK will host the G20 summit in 2027, and South Korea will host it in 2028. I hope our two countries can demonstrate global leadership for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development in the international community, and I hope today’s meeting will further advance South Korea-UK relations.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 08:24:00
  • Min Kyung-wook Collapses During Speech on Election Fraud
    Min Kyung-wook Collapses During Speech on Election Fraud Min Kyung-wook reportedly collapsed while showing symptoms of a cerebral hemorrhage during a speech on election fraud.Kim Sang-hyun, a member of the Liberty and Innovation Party and CEO of the franchise Gukdae Tteokbokki, stated on Facebook that Min lost consciousness around 5:30 p.m. while speaking at the Goshin Patriotic Leaders Union forum in Seoul, which began at 2 p.m. He was subsequently transported to an emergency room at a hospital in Seoul.Kim added, "He remains unconscious, but his breathing has returned. We are preparing for CT scans as brain damage is suspected." He also mentioned that two officials from the Liberty and Innovation Party were present and received the news directly, and that the family has been informed. He requested prayers for Min's recovery.Go Myung-gil, a specialist committee chair at the Goshin Patriotic Leaders Union, described the situation, saying, "I was sitting in front of the podium and, having received regular first aid training at a nursing home, I immediately rushed to the stage and began CPR. His breathing returned after about a minute."He added, "While the issue of election fraud is often dismissed by the People Power Party and the public remains skeptical, I was energized by the 'All-Gong Incident' and had been actively participating when he collapsed."Earlier that day, Min attended the 11th Goshin Patriotic Leaders Union forum held at the Korean Christian Church in Jongno, Seoul, where he was a speaker. During his lecture on 'Election Fraud and the Christian's Calling,' he reportedly exhibited abnormal symptoms and fell backward while engaging with the audience.After Min was taken to the hospital, the event organizers canceled all remaining activities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 08:24:00
  • Bitcoin Recovers to $64,000 as U.S. Rate Hike Concerns Ease
    Bitcoin Recovers to $64,000 as U.S. Rate Hike Concerns Ease Investor sentiment improved as global risk appetite returned, leading to a rebound in the prices of major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. This shift is attributed to easing concerns over U.S. interest rate hikes and a rebound in the New York stock market.According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin was trading at $64,823 as of 8 a.m. on July 15, reflecting a 4.70% increase from the previous day.Ethereum surged 7.09% to $1,881, while Binance Coin (BNB) and Solana rose 2.87% and 4.32%, respectively, to $581 and $77. Ripple (XRP) also saw a 4.94% increase, reaching $1.11.The rebound in cryptocurrency prices is analyzed as a result of a slowdown in the dollar's strength due to expectations of a more accommodative monetary policy from the U.S. Federal Reserve. As interest rates are anticipated to decrease, there is growing optimism that liquidity will expand, prompting a shift of funds into risk assets like Bitcoin.Additionally, during the recent price correction in the cryptocurrency market, excessive investment positions were partially unwound, alleviating selling pressure. This led to an influx of buying interest that contributed to the price rebound.As of 8 a.m. on July 15, Bitcoin was trading at approximately 95,318,000 won ($64,858) on the domestic exchange Bithumb, marking a 0.80% increase from the previous day. The 'Kimchi Premium' stood at -1.321%, indicating that the price of Bitcoin in South Korea is lower than that in international markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 08:20:00
  • Hanwha Solutions Partners with Hanwha Systems to Develop Satellite Solar Cells
    Hanwha Solutions Partners with Hanwha Systems to Develop Satellite Solar Cells Hanwha Solutions' Q CELLS division announced on July 15 that it has signed a contract with Hanwha Systems to develop high-efficiency solar cells and panels for satellites, marking a significant step toward securing next-generation solar technology for space.This collaboration combines Hanwha Systems' space capabilities with Hanwha Solutions' expertise in high-efficiency solar cell technology and mass production, expanding its reach into the space sector.As the global space industry shifts towards low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite clusters and AI-driven data services, the importance of power solutions that influence satellite performance and mission sustainability has become increasingly evident. In response, Hanwha Solutions plans to focus on implementing integrated power solutions optimized for the space environment in collaboration with Hanwha Systems, a defense and space specialist.Under the agreement, Hanwha Systems will invest approximately 30 billion won in research and development for tandem solar cells for satellites over a period of about 2.5 years, from 2026 to 2028.During this period, Hanwha Solutions will conduct key R&D activities, including the design and performance enhancement of high-efficiency cells and reliability testing in space environments. The two companies aim to secure power solution technologies applicable to satellite environments and lay the groundwork for future commercialization.Hanwha Solutions will particularly focus on developing next-generation technologies, including tandem-based high-efficiency solar cells, to maximize performance in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) environments. This environment demands simultaneous efficiency in power generation, structural lightweighting, and durability against radiation and atomic oxygen, leading to a strategy of internalizing capabilities for integrated power solutions for space.After 2029, the two companies plan to begin full-scale commercialization by applying tandem cells to actual satellites in conjunction with Hanwha Systems' production of 64 VLEO ultra-high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.This collaboration is also significant for building a space value chain within the Hanwha Group. Hanwha Systems will handle satellite and SAR fields, Hanwha Aerospace will focus on space launch vehicles and engines, and Hanwha Solutions' Q CELLS will manage satellite power sources, thereby enhancing the group's competitiveness in the space business.Park Seung-deok, head of Hanwha Solutions' Q CELLS division, stated, "This collaboration is an important starting point for expanding our accumulated high-efficiency solar cell technology into the space industry. We aim to enhance the performance and reliability of power solutions for satellites and, in the long term, create new growth opportunities in the global space power market based on the convergence of the space and renewable energy industries."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 08:20:00
  • Director Na Hong-jins Hope Surpasses 600,000 Pre-Sales Ahead of Release
    Director Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' Surpasses 600,000 Pre-Sales Ahead of Release Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope' has surpassed 600,000 pre-sales ahead of its release.According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing system, 'Hope' recorded 603,601 pre-sales as of 7 a.m. on July 15.The film has held the top spot in overall pre-sales since 11 days before its release, achieving the fastest pre-sale rate for a 2026 release and setting a new record for the highest pre-sales this year.'Hope' is also performing strongly across theaters, maintaining the number one pre-sale rate at major chains including CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox.The film tells the story of Beom-seok, the head of a local office in the Demilitarized Zone, who faces an unbelievable reality when he hears reports of a tiger sighting from local youths, causing a state of emergency in the village.This marks Na Hong-jin's return after a decade since 'The Wailing,' and 'Hope' has garnered attention as an official selection in the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. The cast includes Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, as well as Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton.With its impressive pre-sales, 'Hope' is generating interest in whether it can demonstrate the box office power of a major Korean film this summer.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-15 08:16:00