Journalist

Ryu Yuna
  • KOSPI slides as Korean won hits 17-year low amid deepening Middle East conflict
    KOSPI slides as Korean won hits 17-year low amid deepening Middle East conflict SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - With Asian markets mostly opening mixed on Tuesday, South Korean stocks took the brunt of losses as the won weakened to around 1,520 for the first time since the 2008 global financial crisis. The escalating conflict in the Middle East, along with fading hopes for ceasefire talks, further weighed on market sentiment. The possible deployment of U.S. ground forces further heightened fears of the conflict turning into a massive regional war. With Asian markets mostly opening mixed on Tuesday, South Korean stocks took the brunt of losses as the won weakened to around 1,520 for the first time since the 2008 global financial crisis. The Korean won weakened sharply, trading at 1,522.60 per dollar in morning trade, marking its lowest level since March 2009. Prolonged geopolitical tensions, elevated oil prices, and strong dollar demand are expected to keep pressure on the exchange rate. Such geopolitical risks also took a heavy toll on South Korean equities. The benchmark KOSPI fell 1.14 percent to 5,215.47 points shortly after the day's trading began, while the junior KOSDAQ declined 1.47 percent to 1,090.03. These losses came after the combined market capitalization of the KOSPI and KOSDAQ shrank by about 840 trillion won in March alone, as energy price shocks and supply uncertainties rattled investor confidence. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix together accounted for roughly 372 trillion won of the decline, while cyclical stocks such as Hyundai Motor and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries also posted sharp losses. Shares of Samsung Electronics fell 3.49 percent to 170,150 won, while SK hynix dropped 5.96 percent to 821,000 won in early trade, as broader market weakness and geopolitical risks weighed on sentiment. Broader losses were seen across sectors. In autos, Hyundai Motor fell 3.73 percent to 452,000 won and Kia dropped 3.70 percent to 145,900 won, Hyundai Mobis declined 4.15 percent to 381,500 won. Energy and industrial shares also weakened, with LG Energy Solution down 3.17 percent to 397,000 won, SK Square falling 6.67 percent to 476,000 won, and Hanwha Aerospace losing 4.66 percent to 1,247,000 won. HD Hyundai Electric slipped 3.44 percent to 842,000 won. Financials were lower, as KB Financial Group fell 2.33 percent to 142,500 won and Shinhan Financial Group declined 2.65 percent to 88,100 won, while Samsung Life Insurance dropped 3.42 percent to 212,000 won. Among tech and platform stocks, Naver fell 2.42 percent to 202,000 won, Samsung Electro-Mechanics dropped 3.73 percent to 413,000 won, and Samsung SDI edged down 0.48 percent to 410,500 won. Hanwha Ocean was the only gainer, rising 4.40 percent to 123,400 won. Meanwhile, Wall Street closed mixed overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.11 percent to 45,216.14, while the S&P 500 fell 0.39 percent to 6,343.72 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.73 percent to 20,794.64. Semiconductor stocks led losses, with Micron plunging 9.8 percent amid concerns over Google's "TurboQuant" technology, which could improve computing efficiency, though its impact on memory demand remains uncertain Oil prices rose after U.S. President Donald Trump warned he would "obliterate" Iran's energy infrastructure if a ceasefire is not reached soon, while inflation data also weighed on Japan's stock market. The Nikkei 225 fell 1.61 percent to 52,738.55 in morning trade, with chip-related shares leading losses as Advantest dropped 4.40 percent and Tokyo Electron declined 5.25 percent. Tokyo's core CPI rose 1.7 percent in March from a year earlier, below market estimate of 1.8 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.48 percent to 24,868.36, China's Shanghai Composite edged up 0.02 percent to 3,924.07, while Taiwan's TAIEX fell 0.62 percent to 32,317.38. 2026-03-31 11:28:26
  • Global love for K-content hits new highs, but fatigue also on the rise
    Global love for K-content hits new highs, but fatigue also on the rise SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - That K-content is widely loved is no longer in doubt. With K-pop-themed animation sweeping the Grammys and Oscars, and Netflix livestreaming BTS’ comeback, the latest data only puts a number to the momentum: nearly 70 percent approval worldwide. According to data released Monday by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, 69.7 percent of respondents expressed favorable views toward Korean content in the 2026 Overseas Hallyu Survey. The halo effect extends beyond entertainment. South Korea’s national image drew positive responses from 82.3 percent of global respondents — the highest since the survey began in 2012. The surge is not just cultural, but economic. Content exports reached a record $14.08 billion in 2024, while inbound tourism rose to 18.9 million visitors in 2025, underscoring Hallyu’s growing weight as an export engine. Momentum remains strongest in Southeast Asia, with the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Thailand leading in favorability. But the more telling shift is in the West, where gains have been sharper in markets such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Spain — a sign that Hallyu is still expanding its geographic footprint. The wave itself has also broadened. While K-pop remains the core driver, consumption has spread across dramas, films, food and beauty — embedding Korean culture into everyday life rather than keeping it confined to entertainment. That deeper penetration, however, is beginning to invite pushback. Negative perceptions, unchanged at 37.5 percent, have risen steadily over the past five years, pointing to growing polarization as Hallyu becomes more visible — and harder to ignore. Kim Hyung-jun, a professor of cultural anthropology at Kangwon National University, said the backlash is no longer driven by content alone but by the breadth of Hallyu’s reach. “It is no longer confined to entertainment — it touches politics, the economy and social behavior,” he said. He noted that criticism now cuts across multiple fronts. “Concerns arise that young people are becoming less interested in local culture, while others point to excessive fan spending or changing social behaviors linked to fandom culture,” he said. Because these concerns span everyday life, they are easily amplified by different groups — from politicians and religious leaders to parents — allowing negative sentiment to spread beyond those directly engaged with Korean content, Kim added. Regional dynamics differ. In Southeast Asia, resistance is often tied to religious sensitivities and the financial burden of fandom consumption. In Western markets, it tends to center more on cultural influence and questions of relevance within established norms. At the same time, the industry faces a more structural challenge: fatigue. Im Jin-mo, a music critic and pop columnist, said K-pop may be approaching a turning point after more than a decade of global exposure. “K-pop has not shown enough variety or newness,” he said. “The style has become more predictable.” He warned that the genre may be entering a phase where it feels less fresh and less compelling to global audiences, with fewer new acts emerging to sustain momentum. “This year could be a decisive moment,” he said. “The quality of new releases will matter more than ever.” He also offered a blunt assessment of recent output from major acts. “The album felt somewhat boring — it lacked a strong hook,” he said, adding that some see it as an early sign of a broader slowdown. For now, Hallyu remains firmly in expansion mode. But as its reach widens, so too does the test of whether it can sustain not just scale, but staying power. 2026-03-30 17:18:07
  • KOSPI and Nikkei tumble on oil price surge and anxiety over prolonged war
    KOSPI and Nikkei tumble on oil price surge and anxiety over prolonged war SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) — South Korean and Japanese stocks plunged more than 4 percent at the open Monday as oil prices surged on Yemen’s Houthi rebels entering the Iran conflict stoked fears of a broader and prolonged war. May futures for international benchmark Brent crude rose 2.92 percent to $115.86 per barrel during early Asia hours, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were 3.20 percent higher at $102.80 per barrel. Reports that China-linked vessels were forced to turn back from the strait underscored growing supply risks, while speculation over potential U.S. ground operations added to escalation concerns. As of 9:11 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI fell 4.48 percent to 5,195.19, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ dropped 3.71 percent to 1,099.13. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also slid 4.74 percent in early trading. Investor sentiment was further dented by falling U.S. stock futures, as global markets extended a risk-off shift driven by rising energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty. The widening conflict — now entering its second month — is increasingly being priced not as a short-term shock but as a sustained supply disruption. Analysts warn that further escalation, including ground operations or expanded regional involvement, could deepen the energy crisis and prolong market volatility. Institutional selling intensified in Seoul, with heavy liquidation in chipmakers amid fresh concerns over demand outlook. Sentiment was also pressured by hype surrounding Google’s “TurboQuant,” an AI technology that some believe could reduce memory intensity, and reports that AI firm Anthropic is testing a more advanced model, Claude Mythos. The dollar spiked, hitting 1,512.80 won as foreign stock pullout continued. Large-cap stocks moved broadly lower. Samsung Electronics fell 3.78 percent to 172,900 won, while SK hynix dropped 5.31 percent to 873,000 won. Automakers also came under pressure, with Hyundai Motor down 5.66 percent and Kia losing 5.26 percent. Hyundai Mobis slipped 4.53 percent. Battery makers edged lower, with LG Energy Solution falling 1.52 percent and Samsung SDI down 2.22 percent. Biopharmaceutical and internet stocks weakened, with Samsung Biologics declining 4.17 percent, Celltrion dropping 3.20 percent and Naver falling 3.53 percent. Defense and heavy industry shares were also broadly lower, with Hanwha Aerospace down 4.72 percent, Hanwha Ocean falling 5.44 percent and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plunging 6.72 percent. Financial stocks followed suit. KB Financial Group fell 4.34 percent, Shinhan Financial Group dropped 3.85 percent, Samsung Life Insurance lost 2.69 percent and Mirae Asset Securities slid 6.56 percent. 2026-03-30 09:58:38
  • South Korean businesses in race to expand presence in Viet Nam
    South Korean businesses in race to expand presence in Viet Nam SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - With Viet Nam further solidifying its status as a strategic hub in Asia, major South Korean conglomerates are accelerating their push to make deeper inroads into the Southeast Asian country through investment and partnerships. These efforts are being led by companies likes SK Group, HD Hyundai, and GS Energy. In response, Viet Nam is also wooing foreign investors, pledging support to attract more investment from global firms. The country's General Secretary, Tô Lâm on Thursday vowed that his country will support international businesses as it seeks to "play a more active role in building sustainable and resilient global supply chains," speaking at a forum hosted by the Asia Business Council (ABC) forum in Hanoi. Lâm said that Viet Nam is "ready to work with global companies," stressing that foreign-invested firms play an integral role in the Vietnamese economy. Earlier this week, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won visited Viet Nam to inspect several ongoing projects, including the construction of a 1.5-gigawatt liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in Quynh Lap, central Viet Nam, secured in February by its affiliate SK Innovation. SK Group has been expanding its presence there in resources and renewable energy including solar power facilities in Ninh Thuan in south-central Viet Nam since 2020. Choi's trip coincided with HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun's visit to the country, during which he toured the construction site of the company's petrochemical carrier (PC) plant and other production facilities. GS Energy Vice Chairman Huh Yong-soo also met Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh in Hanoi the previous day to discuss expanding cooperation in the energy and infrastructure sectors. GS Energy is currently involved in major projects including the construction of an integrated refining and petrochemical complex in the northern province of Thanh Hóa, as well as a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fired power plant in the southern province of Long An. The company is also eyeing the Vietnamese retail market as part of its broader strategy to diversify its business there. Viet Nam is, meanwhile, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, shifting away from fossil fuels toward renewable and new energy sources, creating new opportunities for foreign investors. South Korean firms, already standing out among the pack in the country, are increasingly positioning themselves to play a central role in this transition while deepening industrial and supply chain partnerships. 2026-03-27 17:07:20
  • Asian stocks fall as geopolitical tensions rise and tech shares weaken
    Asian stocks fall as geopolitical tensions rise and tech shares weaken SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) — The Seoul bourse led broad losses across Asia as the toll from the Middle East crisis weighed heavily on the region, largely dependent on energy and commodities, with the critical transit Strait of Hormuz remaining crippled for a month. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 1.61 percent to 52,738.55 in morning trade, as selling pressure mounted on concerns over a possible deployment of U.S. ground troops. Expectations for ceasefire negotiations also weakened following continued pressure on Iran from U.S. President Donald Trump. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.35 percent to 24,768.66, China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.22 percent to 3,880.44, and Taiwan’s TAIEX dropped 1.54 percent to 32,825.21. The retreat was sharper in Korean markets, reflecting the heavy weight of chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Samsung Electronics fell 4.39 percent to 172,200 won, while SK hynix dropped 5.47 percent to 882,000 won in morning trade. The weakness followed concerns over Google’s newly unveiled “TurboQuant” algorithm, which is expected to significantly improve data efficiency and potentially reduce memory demand for artificial intelligence workloads. The technology, which compresses data to roughly one-sixth of its original size, is seen as easing memory bottlenecks in large-scale AI models, raising doubts over the long-held equation that AI demand directly translates into memory demand. The benchmark KOSPI fell 2.79 percent to 5,308.24, while the KOSDAQ dropped 1.02 percent to 1,125.03 as of 11:00 a.m. Broader market pressure was compounded by rising oil prices as hopes for a near-term resolution between the United States and Iran faded. Brent crude futures for May delivery rose 5.66 percent to $108.01 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate gained 4.61 percent to $94.48. Overnight, U.S. stocks closed sharply lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.01 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.74 percent and 2.38 percent, respectively. The Nasdaq entered correction territory, falling more than 10 percent from its recent peak, led by declines in major chip stocks including Nvidia, SanDisk and Micron Technology. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged 4.79 percent. Across sectors, declines were broad-based. Autos and batteries fell, with Hyundai Motor down 4.34 percent to 468,750 won, Kia slipping 3.17 percent to 149,800 won, and LG Energy Solution losing 4.16 percent to 368,500 won. Samsung SDI dropped 4.41 percent to 379,000 won. Defense and heavy industry stocks also declined, as Hanwha Aerospace fell 4.53 percent to 1,307,000 won, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries lost 5.68 percent to 482,000 won, and HD Hyundai Electric slid 7.67 percent to 891,000 won. In chemicals and industrials, SK Square dropped 5.02 percent to 530,000 won, while Doosan Enerbility fell 5.45 percent to 95,400 won. Financials traded lower, with KB Financial down 2.50 percent to 148,400 won, Samsung Life Insurance slipping 2.25 percent to 217,000 won, Mirae Asset Securities falling 3.83 percent to 62,800 won, and Shinhan Financial declining 3.00 percent to 90,600 won. Samsung Biologics fell 2.33 percent to 1,548,000 won, Samsung C&T dropped 6.47 percent to 260,000 won, Hanwha Ocean declined 6.21 percent to 117,900 won, Hyundai Mobis slipped 1.38 percent to 393,000 won, and Naver edged down 1.89 percent to 207,500 won. The won stayed above the 1,500 level for a third straight session as U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks stalled, hovering at 1,509.20 per dollar from a previous close of 1,507.0. 2026-03-27 11:35:49
  • AI beginning to crowd out young Koreans from elite professions
    AI beginning to crowd out young Koreans from elite professions SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) – Jenny Kim, 23, a senior at Yonsei University, had thought finding a job would be secure once she entered a top Seoul university majoring in engineering, but many of her peers are now despondent. “There may not be much left to do in computer engineering,” she said, as artificial intelligence has already replaced much of the entry-level back-office corporate work. Sophomore Kim S.H., studying structural engineering, also said he and his peers are increasingly exploring career paths unrelated to their majors as the field is rapidly being reshaped by AI. College graduates in Korea now vie against AI in an already tight job market, with the average time to land a first job stretching to nearly nine months — the longest in 20 years, according to a recent survey as of May 2025. Even degrees from top universities or STEM majors no longer guarantee employment. “Many returning from military service delay graduation as long as possible to buy time to apply for jobs,” said J.W. Park, 29, a Yonsei graduate who landed a job 18 months after submitting nearly 100 applications. The employment ratio of Yonsei University graduates fell to 46.6 percent last year from 51 percent in 2024. AI is now cutting into hiring across South Korea’s traditionally secure professions, with entry-level roles shrinking in law, accounting and technology — forcing young graduates to compete not only with each other, but increasingly with machines. The strain is already visible in the labor market. Employment among those aged 25 to 29 fell to 2.346 million in February, the lowest for the month since 2017, while the employment rate slipped to 70.4 percent. Youth unemployment rose to 7.1 percent, with underemployment reaching 17.4 percent, the highest February level in three years. Losses have been concentrated in white-collar sectors. Employment in information and communications fell by 52,000 — the steepest drop since 2014 — while professional, scientific and technical services, including legal and accounting, declined by 29,000. Studies point to AI as a key driver. The Korea Employment Information Service found white-collar jobs more exposed to AI-driven displacement, identifying lawyers, accountants and journalists among the most at risk. A Bank of Korea report showed that of 211,000 youth jobs lost between July 2022 and July 2025, about 208,000 were in highly AI-exposed sectors such as programming. “AI can relatively easily replace routine tasks typically performed by less-experienced workers,” the central bank said. That shift is most visible at the bottom of the hiring ladder. “We received around 120 applications for just two positions,” said Rhee Jay Jun, managing director at Young & Jin Tax Consulting Corp. “Whether they stay depends on how well they can filter out AI errors,” he added, noting that junior roles are shifting from execution to verification. The pressure is compounded by a bottleneck in certification. Of 12,263 candidates who sat for this year’s CPA preliminary exam, only around 1,200 are expected to pass, and even fewer will secure the mandatory training positions required to qualify fully. Yet even as AI displaces routine work, its limits remain clear. In one tax appeal involving hundreds of billions of won, an AI system cited a non-existent Supreme Court ruling — a so-called “hallucination” — nearly leading to a flawed argument. “We have to fact-check everything again,” Rhee said. A similar tension is playing out in the legal sector, where AI is lowering barriers while intensifying competition. Nearly 90 percent of civil first-instance cases in 2024 involved at least one self-represented party, according to the Supreme Court of Korea, with generative AI increasingly used to draft complaints and briefs. At the same time, the number of registered lawyers has surged to 38,123, up 76 percent from 2016. “Giving the same materials to a junior associate and to Gemini, Gemini often does a better job,” said Kim Woong, managing partner at Namdang Law Firm. But within the legal profession, views diverge on how far AI will reshape hiring. Ko Eunyoung, a lawyer at Barun Law, said AI cannot replicate “practical experience” and “judgment,” stressing that strategic decision-making in complex cases remains firmly within the domain of human lawyers. She noted that large firms are better positioned to continue hiring. “Hiring a few junior lawyers is less financially burdensome for bigger firms,” she said, allowing them to maintain recruitment even as smaller firms scale back. Ko emphasized that legal work requires judgment at every stage of a case. While AI can assist with document review and analyzing opposing arguments, overall case management still depends on human experience, strategy and real-time decision-making. She also warned of longer-term risks. Reduced hiring at the junior level could weaken the profession’s pipeline, leaving fewer lawyers able to develop into mid-level practitioners. Academic experts share a similar view. “Because law is as much about persuasion and judgment as it is about raw information review and analysis, I am confident that it will survive this technological change,” said Brendan Ballou-Kelley of Stanford Law School, a former U.S. federal prosecutor. He cautioned, however, that AI remains less reliable in drafting briefs and should not replace judicial reasoning. Mark A. Lemley of Stanford Law School said AI adoption in U.S. legal practice has already expanded rapidly, with litigators using it to draft briefs and corporate lawyers to prepare contracts. But he warned of growing risks tied to AI errors. “We have seen over 800 cases in which lawyers have been caught filing briefs that use hallucinated citations,” he said. Experts say the broader question is no longer whether AI will reshape jobs — but how far it will go. Some warn that rapid AI adoption could deepen inequality and trigger economic disruption, as gains concentrate among those who control capital and technology, while others point to risks of overinvestment and asset bubbles. For young professionals in Korea, however, the disruption is already here and for jobseekers, the real task would be not just beating other candidates, but avoiding areas machines can do better. Business-major 21-year-old Gonhee says she would settle for any big-company job that won't be affected by AI. 2026-03-27 11:00:20
  • KOSPI slips on chip concerns as hopes for Middle East ceasefire lift Asian markets
    KOSPI slips on chip concerns as hopes for Middle East ceasefire lift Asian markets SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) - Asian markets mostly opened higher on Thursday amid growing hopes for a possible ceasefire in the Middle East. In contrast, South Korean stocks fell as semiconductor shares dropped over concerns that Google's "TurboQuant" could reduce demand for memory chips. Earlier investor sentiment improved as signs of possible talks between the U.S. and Iran lifted Wall Street overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.66 percent to 46,429.49, the S&P 500 gained 0.54 percent to 6,591.90, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.77 percent to 21,929.83. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.66 percent to 54,114.46 in morning trading, reflecting gains on Wall Street. China's Shanghai Composite also gained 1.3 percent to 3,931.84 and Taiwan's TAIEX climbed 0.83 percent to 33,707.60. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI fell 1.41 percent to 5,562.60, while the junior KOSDAQ rose 0.58 percent to 1,166.28 shortly after the day's trading began. The decline was mainly driven by weakness in semiconductor stocks, as Google's TurboQuant algorithm sparked concerns that improved data efficiency could reduce demand for memory chips. Most major stocks traded lower, with Samsung Electronics falling 2.38 percent to 184,500 won, and SK Hynix dropping 2.91 percent to 966,000 won. Hyundai Motor declined 0.7 percent to 497,500 won, and LG Energy Solution slipped 1.02 percent to 390,000 won. But Samsung Biologics rose 0.76 percent to 1,597,000 won, and Hanwha Aerospace and Doosan Enerbility both gained 0.29 percent, to 1,404,000 won and 102,900 won, respectively. In the KOSDAQ, Samchundang Pharm rose 3.32 percent to 1,152,000 won, while Alteogen surged 11.16 percent to 398,500 won after a technology-licensing deal with global pharmaceutical company Biogen the previous day. Kolon TissueGene jumped 13.29 percent to 115,900 won, backed by optimism ahead of its final-stage, large-sale clinical trial for a knee osteoarthritis treatment. The won weakened to 1,504.60 per dollar from 1,499.70 in the prior session. 2026-03-26 11:10:44
  • South Koreas fertility nears 1.0 as births, marriages post double-digit gains
    South Korea's fertility nears 1.0 as births, marriages post double-digit gains SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) — South Korea’s notoriously low fertility rate gained a meaningful boost to 0.99 in January — the highest since monthly tracking began in 2024 — but questions remain over whether it can continue to hold near 1. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday, the number of births in January reached 26,916, up 2,817, or 11.7 percent from a year earlier, marking the highest January figure in seven years. Marriages also continued to post similar-pace double-digit growth. The baby increase follows a 12.5 percent year-on-year rise recorded in January 2025, extending the upward trend in births into early 2026. The rebound also pushed up the total fertility rate — the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime — to near 1.0, a sharp jump from 0.74 in December. The figure compares with an annual average of 0.80 in 2025, 0.75 in 2024 and 0.72 in 2023. South Korea became the only OECD country with a fertility rate below 1 in 2022, when the figure first fell into the 0.7 range. Annual births also showed signs of recovery, rising to 254,500 last year from around 230,000 in the previous two years. Still, the sustainability of the rebound remains uncertain. The increase is partly attributed to the so-called “second echo boom,” as those born between 1991 and 1995 — the children of the second baby boom generation (1964–1974) — enter their prime marriage and childbearing years. This cohort, which recorded more than 700,000 births annually, has helped lift marriages, alongside the continued impact of government policies aimed at encouraging childbirth. Despite the uptick, the country still recorded a natural population decline of 5,539 in January, as deaths continued to outnumber births. Jeon Young-soo, a professor of international studies at Hanyang University, urged caution in interpreting the rebound, noting that demographic effects have played a major role. “The rise in fertility is not necessarily a sign that the overall birth environment has fundamentally improved,” Jeon said. “Because fertility is a ratio, changes in both the numerator and denominator matter — while births have increased by tens of thousands, the population base has declined more sharply.” He also pointed to a backlog of delayed marriages following the COVID-19 pandemic as a factor behind the recent increase in births. Jeon said the trend could continue for the next two to three years but warned against overinterpreting short-term gains. “This could be a temporary phase driven by demographic factors,” he said. “Rather than reacting to short-term fluctuations, policymakers should focus on long-term, structural strategies to improve the conditions surrounding marriage and childbirth.” A breakdown by age shows birth rates rose across all groups, led by women in their 30s — the core childbearing cohort. The birth rate for women aged 30–34 climbed to 90.9, up 8.7 from a year earlier, marking the largest increase. The rate for those aged 35–39 also rose sharply to 65.8, up 8.0. Among younger women, the rate for those aged 25–29 rose to 25.6, up 1.5, while rates for those aged 24 and under and 40 and above edged up to 2.4 and 5.1, respectively. On a monthly basis, births increased from 24,099 in January 2025, extending the early-year upward trend. Births rose across all regions except Sejong, indicating a broad-based rebound nationwide. By birth order, the share of first-born children increased by 1.4 percentage points from a year earlier, while the proportions of second-born and third-or-higher births each declined by 0.7 percentage points. Marriages, a leading indicator of births, also increased to 22,640 in January, up 2,489, or 12.4 percent from a year earlier, suggesting continued near-term momentum — though uncertainties remain over its durability. 2026-03-25 15:49:49
  • Asian markets open higher on US peace plan for Iran; KOSPI lifted by SK hynixs IPO filing
    Asian markets open higher on US peace plan for Iran; KOSPI lifted by SK hynix's IPO filing SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - Asian markets opened higher on Wednesday after reports that the U.S. had sent a proposal to Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East, while Israel had reportedly proposed a one-month ceasefire. But amid continuing conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran, U.S. stocks closed lower the previous day, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.18 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell 0.37 percent and 0.84 percent, respectively, as earlier optimism for a possible end to the conflict faded. Among megacap tech stocks, Nvidia fell 0.25 percent and Amazon dropped 1.38 percent, while Tesla rose 0.57 percent and Apple edged up 0.06 percent. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 1.28 percent. In Japan, Nikkei 225 rose 2.54 percent to 53,581.99 in morning trade. The stock gains are supported by improving economic fundamentals as the island country emerges from decades of deflation. Corporate earnings have also been strong, with major listed firms expected to post record profits for a fifth consecutive year, supported by broad growth across semiconductors, services, and tourism. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index also gained 0.87 percent to 25,280.52, China's Shanghai Composite rose 1.78 percent to 3,881.28 and Taiwan's TAIEX rose 3.22 percent to 33,661.02. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 2.19 percent at the open, and the junior KOSDAQ gained 0.94 percent, before extending gains to trade up 3.18 percent to 5,730.30 and 3.23 percent at 1,157.49, respectively. SK hynix shares rose after the chipmaker said it had filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the previous day, seeking a U.S. listing via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), with plans to complete the listing within this year. ADRs allow foreign companies to trade their shares on U.S. exchanges, providing broader access to global investors. SK hynix shares were up 3.85 percent at 1,024,000 won in early morning trade. Major KOSPI heavyweights traded broadly higher, led by chipmakers and autos. Samsung Electronics rose 2.74 percent to 194,900 won, Hyundai Motor advanced 2.85 percent to 506,000 won, and Kia rose 2.28 percent to 161,500 won. LG Energy Solution edged up 0.38 percent to 394,000 won. SK Inc. rose 3.87 percent to 618,000 won, Samsung Biologics gained 3.10 percent to 1,595,000 won, and Hanwha Aerospace added 1.05 percent to 1,349,000 won. Doosan Enerbility climbed 1.35 percent to 101,450 won. KB Financial Group advanced 2.65 percent to 150,800 won, Shinhan Financial Group rose 3.67 percent to 93,300 won, Mirae Asset Securities jumped 5.56 percent to 64,500 won, and Samsung Life Insurance climbed 3.38 percent to 229,500 won. But HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 1.55 percent to 508,000 won, and Hanwha Ocean edged down 0.08 percent to 122,200 won. In the KOSDAQ, Samchundang Pharm surged 11.22 percent to 1,041,000 won, leading gains. The rebound followed a brief pullback in the previous session on profit-taking after a five-day winning streak last week. The won strengthened slightly to 1,493.70 per dollar from a previous close of 1,495.2. 2026-03-25 11:29:54
  • Asia advances on easing Middle East tensions and oil price drop
    Asia advances on easing Middle East tensions and oil price drop SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) — Asian markets found modest relief Tuesday on signals of a potential truce after U.S. President Donald Trump suspended his ultimatum over attacks on Iran’s power infrastructure, though gains were pared amid mixed signals from Tehran and Gulf states. Japanese stocks rose at the open on expectations of early de-escalation in the Middle East, with the Nikkei 225 rebounding after plunging more than 5 percent in the previous session on fears of prolonged oil supply disruptions. The index was up 1.42 percent at 52,249.45 in morning trade. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 1.55 percent to 24,761.14, China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.68 percent to 3,839.05, and Taiwan’s TAIEX added 0.58 percent to 32,913.26. Overnight on Wall Street, all three major indexes closed higher after Trump signaled a pause in potential military action against Iran and a resumption of negotiations, boosting hopes for near-term de-escalation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.38 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained 1.15 percent and 1.38 percent, respectively. Oil prices also fell more than 10 percent, easing inflation concerns. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rebounded sharply after the previous session’s steep decline. It rose 4.30 percent at the open before trimming gains to trade up 0.32 percent at 5,423.18 as of 10:53 a.m. The KOSDAQ added 0.34 percent to 1,100.63. Major KOSPI heavyweights traded mostly higher. Samsung Electronics rose 1.50 percent to 189,100 won, while SK hynix gained 2.79 percent to 959,000 won. Hyundai Motor advanced 1.55 percent to 492,500 won, and LG Energy Solution jumped 6.60 percent to 379,500 won. Samsung Biologics added 0.46 percent to 1,530,000 won, Hanwha Aerospace rose 3.29 percent to 1,320,000 won, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gained 1.79 percent to 511,000 won. Celltrion climbed 2.66 percent to 193,300 won, Hanwha Ocean gained 2.27 percent to 121,600 won, and Hyundai Mobis rose 2.76 percent to 391,500 won. Naver advanced 1.56 percent to 212,250 won, while Mirae Asset Securities edged up 0.48 percent to 62,200 won. KB Financial Group and Samsung C&T posted modest gains, and HD Hyundai Electric rose 0.11 percent to 914,000 won. Samsung Life Insurance was unchanged at 217,500 won. On the downside, Kia fell 2.72 percent to 157,300 won, marking the steepest decline among major stocks. Doosan Enerbility slipped 0.35 percent to 100,350 won, while Shinhan Financial Group edged down 0.67 percent to 89,300 won. On the KOSDAQ, market leadership has been shifting rapidly, with the top spot by market capitalization changing five times so far this year. Biotech stocks have recently emerged as a key driver. Samchundang Pharm rose 4.57 percent to 984,000 won, briefly becoming the largest KOSDAQ stock by market cap. Its share price has surged more than 300 percent so far this year. Leadership has rotated among battery and biotech names, including EcoPro BM, EcoPro, Alteogen and now Samchundang. Despite net foreign selling of 5.8 trillion won in Korean equities over the past week, investors continued to buy biotech stocks, with four biotech firms among the top 10 net purchases. Strong inflows into newly listed active ETFs on the KOSDAQ, heavily weighted toward biotech, have also supported the sector. Analysts say biotech could replace secondary batteries as the next market leader, though high volatility tied to clinical outcomes remains a key risk. The won strengthened slightly to 1,500.60 per dollar from the previous close of 1,517.6, reflecting a temporary easing of Middle East tensions. 2026-03-24 11:24:06