Industry

  • Sanguine KOSPI signals bumper IPO year in 2026
    Sanguine KOSPI signals bumper IPO year in 2026 SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Rejuvenated stock markets, abundant liquidity from monetary easing, and renewed corporate confidence fueled by strong exports are setting the stage for a bumper year for South Korean initial public offerings in 2026. Among the most closely watched are K Bank — which has already filed its preliminary prospectus and is awaiting approval — as well as beauty-and-fashion leaders CJ Olive Young, Musinsa, and Gudai Global, the rising Korean retail brands with e November 13, 2025
  • LG, Mercedes-Benz explore deeper One LG partnership for next-gen car parts
    LG, Mercedes-Benz explore deeper 'One LG' partnership for next-gen car parts SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea's electronics giant LG Group said Thursday that it discussed expanding its “One LG” partnership with Mercedes-Benz, aligning its affiliates’ combined auto-parts capabilities for next-generation electric and software-defined vehicles. The meeting at LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul, coincided with the visit of Ola Källenius, chairman and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group. Executives from LG Electronics, LG Display, LG Energ November 13, 2025
  • Koreas Hyundai Motor Group relies on hybrid relief until EV appetite returns
    Korea's Hyundai Motor Group relies on hybrid relief until EV appetite returns SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group has largely weathered headwinds from a sluggish electric-vehicle market and unfavorable U.S. tariff conditions by leaning aggressively into hybrid offerings. The group's two marques – Hyundai and Kia – sold 831,933 hybrid vehicles globally in the first nine months of 2025, up 27.2 percent from 654,067 units a year earlier, according to available data. At this pace, annual hybrid sales are projected to s November 13, 2025
  • USD-KRW eases after testing above 1,1470 after verbal intervention
    USD-KRW eases after testing above 1,1470 after verbal intervention SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) -The U.S. dollar softened after briefly topping 1,470 won during Thursday’s session in Seoul, as investment jitters eased following President Donald Trump’s signing of a bill to end the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown. The Korean won, already down 2 percent this month, initially faced renewed downward pressure as foreign investors took profits after their record stock buying, while the greenback strengthened on Washington’s r November 13, 2025
  • Hankook Tire to supply tires for Volkswagens new Tayron SUV
    Hankook Tire to supply tires for Volkswagen's new Tayron SUV SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s Hankook Tire & Technology said on Thursday that it will supply original equipment tires for Volkswagen’s new crossover SUV, the Tayron. The new Ventus Evo SUV tires were developed in close technical collaboration with Volkswagen and are designed to deliver a quieter, more comfortable ride. Hankook said the tires feature an AI-developed compound that optimizes both performance and stability, while a specialized cuff desi November 13, 2025
  • Asian markets hardly move on Suneung Day, awaiting end of U.S. shutdown
    Asian markets hardly move on Suneung Day, awaiting end of U.S. shutdown SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Asian markets were largely unmoved on Thursday as investors waited for confirmation of an end to the U.S. government shutdown. In Seoul, the KOSPI and KOSDAQ inched up to 4,153.35 and 911.88, respectively, as of 11:20 a.m. The market opened at 10:00 a.m.—one hour later than usual—due to the nationwide Suneung college entrance exam. The Korean won weakened further, with the dollar gaining 4.60 won to hit a new annual high of 1,474.1 won despi November 13, 2025
  • K Shipbuilding wins $333 million tanker orders from European clients
    K Shipbuilding wins $333 million tanker orders from European clients SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s mid-sized shipyard K Shipbuilding said on Thursday that it had signed contracts with two European shipping companies to build five tankers worth about $333 million. The orders, finalized on Nov. 6 and 12, include three 115,000-ton crude oil tankers and two 50,000-ton petrochemical tankers, the company said. All of the new vessels will comply with the International Maritime Organization’s standards for greenhouse gas emissio November 13, 2025
  • South Koreas CU convenience chain opens first US store in Hawaii
    South Korea's CU convenience chain opens first US store in Hawaii SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest convenience store operator, BGF Retail, has opened its first American location in Honolulu, Hawaii. The store opened this week in the popular destination for Asian tourists and home to a sizable Korean community. The launch follows the establishment of BGF Retail Hawaii in May and a master franchise agreement with WKF Inc., a local company that will manage operations under the CU brand. Under the deal, BGF Retail wil November 13, 2025
  • South Koreas Lotte Chemical sells Pakistani unit in streamlining push
    South Korea's Lotte Chemical sells Pakistani unit in streamlining push SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea's Lotte Chemical said on Thursday that it had completed the sale of its controlling stake in its Pakistani subsidiary, Lotte Chemical Pakistan Limited. Lotte’s withdrawal from Pakistan underscores a broader trend among South Korean chemical companies seeking to pare back exposure in emerging markets with volatile currencies, while investing more heavily in specialty and sustainable chemical products that promise higher margins. November 13, 2025
  • KOSPI extends gains for second day; tech stocks lag as SOX declines
    KOSPI extends gains for second day; tech stocks lag as SOX declines SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Asian shares turned higher on Wednesday, with South Korea’s benchmark index rising for a second consecutive session. Semiconductor stocks, however, underperformed after overnight losses in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) and the Nasdaq. The KOSPI gained 1.07 percent to close at 4,150.39. Institutional investors drove the advance, purchasing 912.1 billion won ($620 million), while retail investors and foreigners sold 446 billion won and 4 November 12, 2025