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KRX Launches Aftermarket Trading as KOSPI Tests 7000 Support The Korea Exchange (KRX) will open its aftermarket trading from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting today, expanding trading options for stocks, including small and mid-cap companies. This comes as attention turns to whether the KOSPI can maintain its support at the 7000 level ahead of this week's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and Bank of Japan (BOJ) meetings.As of today, the previous after-hours single-price market from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. will be discontinued, and the new aftermarket will operate from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Unlike NXT, KRX will broadly include KOSPI and KOSDAQ stocks and depositary receipts (DRs) for trading, excluding certain stocks that require market management. However, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) will not be included in the initial trading phase.On September 11, U.S. markets rose despite increased expectations for a September interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve following the August Consumer Price Index (CPI) release. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 509.19 points (0.98%) at 52,573.29. The S&P 500 gained 65.28 points (0.86%) to finish at 7,656.98, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 251.31 points (0.96%) to close at 26,333.04.Improved investor sentiment was driven by falling international oil prices. Brent crude for November delivery fell $3.02 (2.81%) to $104.61 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for October delivery dropped $2.43 (2.37%) to $100.05 per barrel. Expectations for resumed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz contributed to the decline in oil prices, alongside Oracle's strong performance, which bolstered investment sentiment in tech stocks.The U.S. August CPI rose 0.4% month-over-month and 3.4% year-over-year, aligning with market expectations. However, the core CPI increased by 0.3%, slightly exceeding the forecast of 0.2%. Consequently, the probability of a 0.25 percentage point rate hike by the Fed during the FOMC meeting on September 17 rose to 86.3% as of the afternoon of September 11, according to the CME FedWatch tool.This week, domestic markets are expected to focus on the FOMC meeting scheduled for early September 17. Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Even if the Fed does implement a rate hike in September, the key question will be whether it is a one-time preemptive increase to curb inflation from re-accelerating or the start of an additional tightening cycle."The BOJ meeting is also a variable. One researcher noted, "If the BOJ governor strongly expresses a willingness for further tightening, it could lead to yen appreciation and increased pressure on Japanese government bond yields, potentially triggering noise in yen-carry trades. Thus, the sensitivity of the stock market to the BOJ meeting is expected to be higher than in previous meetings."As of 8:19 a.m., in the NXT pre-market, Samsung Electronics was down 2.3% from the previous trading day. SK Hynix fell 3.1%, SK Square dropped 2.3%, Samsung Electro-Mechanics decreased by 2.0%, and Hyundai Motor was down 1.1%.In the domestic market, the KOSPI's ability to hold the 7000 level, foreign investor inflows, and the maintenance of semiconductor leadership are crucial. One researcher commented, "Last week, the KOSPI recovered the 7000 level for the first time in 33 trading days amid foreign net buying, but macro uncertainties in the latter part of the week led to foreign net selling, bringing it back down to the 6900s. Therefore, it is difficult to consider 7000 points as a confirmed support level."He added, "The key players determining the market direction going forward will be foreign investors. The resumption of their net buying during the FOMC event will be essential for the KOSPI to stabilize above 7000 points. Despite macro uncertainties, the recent demand for AI and the outlook for the memory sector remain intact, allowing the KOSPI to show a pattern of strength after weakness."Discussions about regulating the pace of AI development, which gained attention over the weekend, are expected to contribute to short-term volatility in related stocks. He noted, "Current discussions are more about adjusting the pace of development and ensuring safety rather than halting AI development altogether. Therefore, interpreting this as a slowdown in the AI investment cycle should be avoided. The effectiveness of strategies to reduce exposure to AI stocks from this point forward is likely to be low, as we will see the results during the third-quarter earnings season at the end of October."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:44:00 -
Bitcoin Drops to $76,000 Amid Rising Oil Prices and U.S. Legislative Uncertainty Bitcoin, which had been hovering around the $80,000 mark, has fallen to approximately $76,000, reflecting a bearish trend. This decline is attributed to rising international oil prices and concerns over U.S. monetary tightening, leading to a cautious investment sentiment ahead of the vote on the Clarity Act scheduled for the 15th.According to CoinMarketCap, as of 8 a.m. on the 14th, Bitcoin was trading at $76,643, down 0.74% from the previous day.Major altcoins also experienced declines. Ethereum dropped 1.80% to $2,477.27, while Solana fell 1.68% to $99.93. Ripple (XRP) decreased by 1.76% to $1.33, and Binance Coin (BNB) was down 1.37% at $716.04.Market analysts suggest that escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have driven up international oil prices, are dampening investor appetite for riskier assets. Currently, international oil prices are exceeding $100 per barrel.Additionally, the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds is nearing 5%, and the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August exceeded market expectations, raising concerns about potential tightening by the Federal Reserve.Uncertainty surrounding U.S. cryptocurrency legislation is also weighing on the market. The U.S. Senate is set to hold a procedural vote on the Clarity Act on the 15th. To pass, the bill requires the support of 60 out of 100 senators. However, the Democratic Party is demanding bipartisan ethical guidelines, leaving the bill's fate uncertain.Meanwhile, at Bithumb, Bitcoin was trading at 1,048,000 won (approximately $77,750), down 0.05% from the previous day. The so-called 'Kimchi Premium,' which indicates the domestic price is higher than international rates, was recorded at 1.218%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:40:10
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Removing the 'Disability' Label: Embracing Everyday Interactions During a visit to my child's first public class after starting elementary school, I noticed a classmate with a disability sitting right in front of my child, shaking his head from side to side during the lesson. I tried not to pay attention, but I couldn't help but look. When I got home, I casually asked my child, "Does that friend shake his head on other days too?"My child replied, "He usually shakes it more. Today, he only did it a little because his mom was here." After a brief silence, sensing my concern, my child added, "Mom, it’s not something to get upset about. That’s just how he is." Then, he returned to playing.The school my child attends practices inclusive education, where students with and without disabilities learn and interact together in the same classroom. All the children attend regular classes, share meals, play, and go on experiential learning trips together. Support teachers are present during class time.For my child, this is just a part of daily life. After work, he often shares stories about his day at school, occasionally mentioning his friend. He talks about how the class went to the special education room to see 'A's baby pictures and danced together, or how 'A' enjoys multiplication tables. These are ordinary conversations.A recent article discussing similar classroom dynamics highlighted that inclusive education is a part of children's 'everyday' experiences. In one elementary school in Osaka, Japan, a visually impaired student studies alongside classmates, who naturally offer their arms when moving around the classroom. When asked about this, the students simply replied, "Because he’s our classmate." It was not an act of kindness or charity, but a normal part of their routine.What may seem like a special form of inclusive education to adults is simply normal for children. This is not about discussing the educational benefits of inclusive education for children with disabilities or those without. To my child, 'A' is just a classmate. The head shaking and the ability to do math are just aspects of 'A' that he learned later. The experience of being together came before understanding their differences.This 'attitude of children' may also be necessary outside the classroom. At the Seoul Haechi Media Wall, artist Seok Chang-woo's work 'Breath of Ink' brightly illuminates the night. After losing both arms in an accident, Seok has created art using a brush attached to a prosthetic arm. He is showcasing this work as part of the media art special exhibition 'OUTfront: Kiaf × MEDIA ART SEOUL' in collaboration with Kiaf Seoul.Notably, his work does not carry the label of 'disability art.' In this special exhibition featuring various artists, including Park Je-seong, Han Seung-gu, and Jeon Hye-joo, Seok's work simply adds to the vibrant tapestry of Seoul's night. His artistic world is not confined to the label of disability art.Similar discussions have begun abroad. A report released in 2020 by the European cultural and arts network IETM is titled 'Disabled Artists in the Mainstream.' It suggests that instead of keeping disabled artists in a separate realm, the existing cultural and artistic ecosystem, including theaters, festivals, and art institutions, should be restructured to allow them to operate as equal artists.The concept of 'integration' may not start from something grand. It may simply begin with meeting one another, whether in the same classroom or at the same exhibition. Perhaps recognizing differences can come afterward. 2026-09-14 08:40:00
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S2W Joins Development of Security-Focused AI Foundation Model Big data analytics company S2W announced on September 14 that it will participate in the "Specialized AI Foundation Model Development (Cybersecurity Sector) Project" organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA).S2W will join the project as part of the Naver Cloud Consortium. This consortium includes domestic companies such as Naver Cloud, LG CNS, and LG AI Research Institute, as well as key national infrastructure organizations like Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, along with major universities and research institutions such as Seoul National University and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).The plan is to develop and validate a super-large security-focused model with a final structure of 700 billion parameters (700B) based on Naver Cloud's "HyperCLOVA X" and LG AI Research Institute's "ExaOne," optimized for the domestic environment, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of security AI in South Korea.S2W will leverage its accumulated technological capabilities in threat intelligence (TI) and security-focused AI for this project. The company plans to participate in key development processes such as model training and validation, drawing on its expertise in building specialized cybersecurity language models and converting vast amounts of threat data into intelligence. Notably, S2W aims to enhance the model's completeness and applicability by incorporating hidden channel data that is difficult to obtain from the surface web.As generative AI is increasingly utilized in both cyber offense and defense, the need for specialized AI models in the security sector is growing. The performance of Anthropic's cybersecurity-focused model, "Claude Mythos," which can autonomously identify and exploit vulnerabilities, has accelerated the advancement of AI-driven cyber threat and response technologies.With the expanding role of AI in cybersecurity, the government has also initiated the development of its own AI models based on domestic technology and security data. This effort aims to reduce reliance on overseas general-purpose models and enhance the country's capabilities in responding to cyber threats.Suh Sang-deok, CEO of S2W, stated, "We will contribute to strengthening security sovereignty and effectively responding to evolving cyber threats by bolstering our independent technological foundation."The project will run for a total of 10 months, from this month until July of next year. The government will support 256 B200 GPUs, while Naver Cloud and LG will each contribute 4,000 B200 GPUs and 256 H200 GPUs, respectively. The consortium plans to develop two models with 700 billion parameters, including a defense model based on HyperCLOVA X and an attack model based on ExaOne, utilizing approximately 830TB of security and industrial data.The developed models will be validated in seven key sectors, including power, finance, science and technology, telecommunications, semiconductors, defense, and aerospace, and will be released as open-source for commercial use.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:40:00
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Dunamu Launches Startup Studio in Partnership with Seoul National University Dunamu is collaborating with Seoul National University's Business School to support young startups.The company, which operates the digital asset exchange Upbit, announced the launch of the 'SNU x Upbit Startup Studio' and held a welcome event for the resident startups on September 10.The selected companies, chosen through a review process, include △Breadcrumb △Steelcut △Iruri Labs △Beli Labs △Theta One Korea △PION △LeadAxis.Dunamu aims to prioritize the growth of young talent and will support the development of the resident companies alongside Seoul National University. The selected startups will receive free office space, shared facilities, and work equipment for up to two years.A mentoring program called 'Office Hours,' featuring experts in law, finance, accounting, security, and marketing, will be available, along with customized 'Value UP' programs, including CEO roundtables.Song Chi-hyung, chairman of Dunamu, stated, "In the early stages of a startup, one faces unpredictable uncertainties. I will share the experiences gained in the field and act as a pacemaker to ensure that innovative startups can continue to grow."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:36:20
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LG Uplus and Defense Ministry Host 'AI Plus Camp' for Military Families LG Uplus announced on September 14 that it is hosting the 'AI Dream Challenge LG U+ AI Plus Camp' in collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense, which includes a family invitation event.The camp aims to help children of military personnel understand and utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to develop their future digital skills. The theme of the event is 'Mission! Protect Mom and Dad, Little AI Guardians,' with participation from 110 students in grades 4 to 6 and 193 guardians, totaling 303 attendees. This camp is specifically for families involved in the 'AI Dream Challenge.'Participants will engage in a magic show utilizing generative AI and various AI experience programs, including the camp's core activity, an AI hackathon.The event will also feature diverse experience booths, such as an AI photo booth, an AI motion tracking zone, and an AI webtoon creation area.Programs for guardians will also be available. Parents can attend a special lecture on 'Educating Children in the AI Era,' where they will learn about changes in the educational environment and proper ways to utilize generative AI.Park Kyung-jung, Senior Vice President of External Cooperation at LG Uplus, stated, "The AI Dream Challenge is LG Uplus's flagship social contribution initiative that supports the growth of military personnel's children through various educational and cultural experiences. We will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of National Defense to provide meaningful AI education opportunities for military families and contribute to nurturing future digital talent."Meanwhile, LG Uplus has continued to support military families through non-face-to-face educational programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, it has expanded its offerings to include programs aimed at enhancing future capabilities, such as career exploration and science and digital education.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:36:00
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Hana Financial Projects Record Quarterly Profit for KB Financial in Q3, Raises Target Price Hana Securities forecasts that KB Financial will achieve a record quarterly profit in the third quarter, raising its target price to 235,000 won. The investment recommendation remains a 'buy.'In a report released on the 14th, analyst Choi Jeong-wook stated, "The net interest margin (NIM) for banks in the third quarter is estimated to decline by 2 basis points to 1.72% compared to the previous quarter, but the growth of approximately 1.7% in bank won-denominated loans is expected to offset this negative effect."He added, "Moreover, due to the expiration of 130 billion won in interest expenses related to non-controlling interests in funds during the second quarter, the group's net interest income is likely to increase by more than 6% compared to the previous quarter. Although a decrease in brokerage fees is inevitable due to reduced trading volumes in the stock market, the group's net commission income for the third quarter is expected to be 1.45 trillion won, higher than the 1.36 trillion won recorded in the first quarter."Choi also projected that operating expenses could significantly decrease due to reduced performance bonuses in the securities sector, and the group's loan loss provisions are expected to remain similar to the second quarter at around 530 billion won.Additionally, he noted, "We assume that approximately 110 billion won will be recognized as non-operating income from the reversal of penalties related to equity-linked securities (ELS) in Hong Kong during the third quarter. If the Financial Services Commission does not reach a final conclusion in the third quarter, the actual net profit for the third quarter is estimated to be around 2 trillion won, similar to the second quarter."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:36:00
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Eugene Investment Securities Raises Amorepacific Target Price Amid Global Growth Expectations 유진투자증권이 14일 아모레퍼시픽의 목표주가를 기존보다 상향한 19만원으로 제시하고 투자의견 ‘매수’를 유지했다. 국내에서 경쟁력을 검증한 더마 뷰티와 헤어케어 사업이 글로벌 확장에 나서면서 매출과 수익성이 함께 개선될 것으로 전망했다. 아모레퍼시픽은 지난 11일 인베스터데이에서 더마 뷰티와 코스메슈티컬 그리고 헤어케어를 3대 성장축으로 제시했다. 2027년 연결 매출은 10% 성장하고 영업이익률은 10~12%를 달성한다는 중장기 목표를 내놨다. 올해 매출 목표는 4조5000억원이다. 더마 뷰티에서는 에스트라와 일리윤의 글로벌 확장이 본격화될 것으로 전망했다. 두 브랜드의 합산 매출은 2030년 1조원, 2035년 1조5000억원을 목표로 한다. 선케어와 안티에이징 그리고 클렌징 등 인접 카테고리로 제품군을 확대하면서 중장기적으로 두 브랜드의 매출 비중을 높인다는 전략이다. 헤어케어도 차세대 성장동력으로 격상됐다. 아모레퍼시픽은 려와 라보에이치 그리고 아윤채를 미국 시장에 동시에 투입해 두피와 모발 시장을 공략할 계획이다. 2030년 헤어 브랜드 합산 매출 1조원과 영업이익률 두 자릿수를 목표로 제시했다. 이해니 유진투자증권 연구원은 이날 보고서에서 아모레퍼시픽에 대해 “국내에서 검증된 더마 경쟁력이 글로벌 스케일업 구간에 진입했다”며 “헤어 시장의 고성장성과 자체 조달형 투자 구조는 매출과 수익성 성장이 동시에 이뤄질 수 있는 기반”이라고 평가했다. 코스메슈티컬 사업에서는 아이오페의 리브랜딩 성과에도 주목했다. 아이오페는 임상 수준의 결과와 메디컬 등급 성분을 앞세워 크리니컬 브랜드로 전환했다. 미국 세포라에서 XMD 세럼과 레티젝션이 목표 대비 143% 초과 실적을 기록했다. 다만 2035년 매출 목표가 5000억원으로 제시된 만큼 중장기적으로 브랜드 자산을 확대하는 단계로 평가했다. 이 연구원은 “더마 뷰티와 코스메슈티컬 그리고 헤어케어 3대 성장축 모두 국내에서 검증된 경쟁력을 글로벌 성장으로 전환하는 공통된 흐름 위에 있다”며 “이는 밸류에이션 리레이팅 요소”라고 분석했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:32:00
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'Odyssey' Surpasses 10 Million Viewers, Continues Box Office Success with 6th Consecutive Week at No. 1 The film 'Odyssey' continues its remarkable box office run, surpassing 10 million viewers and setting a new record for the longest consecutive weeks at No. 1 for a foreign film released in South Korea since 2010.According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing system, 'Odyssey' attracted 449,039 viewers over the weekend from September 11 to 13, maintaining its position at the top of the weekend box office. This marks the film's sixth consecutive week at No. 1.Notably, 'Odyssey' has achieved a long-term box office record, remaining at the top for 40 consecutive days since its release on August 5, without ever dropping from the No. 1 spot. This surpasses the previous records of 35 days held by 'Avatar: The Way of Water' and 'Suzume's Door Lock,' making it the longest-running No. 1 foreign film in South Korea since 2010.As it enters its seventh week, 'Odyssey' continues to lead in advance ticket sales, fueled by strong word-of-mouth and a trend of repeat viewings, known as 'N-time viewings.' The film shows no signs of slowing down in its box office success.Since crossing the 10 million viewer mark, 'Odyssey' has been consistently breaking new records, and it remains to be seen what further milestones it will achieve. The film is currently showing in theaters nationwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:32:00
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President Lee's Approval Rating Hits Record Low at 33.8% President Lee's approval rating has dropped for the ninth consecutive week, reaching a record low of 33.8% since taking office. The decline is particularly pronounced among young voters and progressives, with disapproval ratings surpassing 60% for the first time. In party support, the Democratic Party has seen a decrease while the People Power Party has gained ground, resulting in a shift in rankings within the margin of error. According to a poll released on September 14 by Realmeter, President Lee's approval rating fell by 3.6 percentage points from the previous week to 33.8%. The survey, commissioned by the Energy Economy Newspaper, was conducted from September 7 to 11 among 2,515 eligible voters aged 18 and older nationwide. Disapproval ratings rose by 3.8 percentage points to 63.3%, the highest since he took office. The gap between approval and disapproval stands at 29.5 percentage points, with 2.9% of respondents indicating they were unsure. The decline in support was especially significant among young voters and progressives. Approval ratings among those in their 20s dropped by 10.2 percentage points compared to the previous week, while progressive voters saw an 8.0 percentage point decrease. Among voters in their 60s and 70s, approval ratings fell by 4.1 and 3.6 percentage points, respectively. Regionally, the largest drop was in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam areas, which saw a decline of 9.1 percentage points. This was followed by Daegu and Gyeongbuk with a 6.8 percentage point drop, Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungcheong with a 6.5 percentage point decrease, and Gwangju and Jeolla with a 5.5 percentage point decline. In Seoul, approval ratings increased by 1.5 percentage points. Realmeter analyzed that the decline in support was influenced by controversies surrounding cabinet appointments, discussions about deploying troops to Hormuz, and uncertainties in real estate policies. Additionally, the weakening support among progressives and young voters contributed to this trend. In a separate poll conducted on September 10-11 among 1,003 eligible voters aged 18 and older, the People Power Party's support rose by 4.5 percentage points to 42.1%, while the Democratic Party's support fell by 5.7 percentage points to 36.1%. The gap between the two parties is 6.0 percentage points, within the margin of error. The changes in party support were particularly notable among voters in their 20s. The Democratic Party's support dropped by 18.8 percentage points, while the People Power Party's support increased by 21.2 percentage points. Support for the Democratic Party among progressives also fell by 10.0 percentage points. Realmeter noted that the Democratic Party faced challenges from controversies over personnel and real estate policies, while the People Power Party benefited from these issues and gained support among young voters, as well as in Chungcheong and the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region. Other parties included the Justice Reform Party at 4.7%, the Reform Party and the Progressive Party each at 1.3%, and other parties at 2.3%. The proportion of undecided voters was recorded at 12.2%. Both surveys were conducted using 100% automated response (ARS) methods via mobile phone. The response rate for the presidential approval rating survey was 4.5%, with a margin of error of ±2.0 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The party support survey had a response rate of 3.6% and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Detailed information can be found on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:28:00