South Korean stocks soar while other Asian markets mostly flat SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korean shares extended gains Wednesday, outperforming most Asian markets that moved flat to lower amid profit-taking. The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.56 percent to close at 3,883.68, while the KOSDAQ gained 0.76 percent to 879.15. Battery-related shares led the rally after a JP Morgan report showed global energy storage system (ESS) shipments in September jumped 105 percent year-on-year. LG Energy Solution climbed 3.09 percent to 450,500 won ($315.05), a October 22, 2025

HOT STOCK: Undervalued Hyundai Motor plays catch-up amid tariff hopes SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor is emerging as a comeback play in Asian markets, as optimism grows over a possible U.S. tariff relief deal that could level the playing field long tilted in favor of Japanese rivals. Currently, South Korean car exports to the U.S. face a 25 percent import tariff—10 percentage points higher than the 15 percent levied on Japanese and European brands. Despite the disparity, Hyundai Motor’s shares have surged nearly 20 per October 22, 2025

LocknLock concludes global conference in Bangkok SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korean household goods company LocknLock held its annual global conference in Bangkok from Oct. 19 to 21, bringing together business partners from 24 countries. The conference at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel featured presentations on the company's 2026 vision and product plans, LocknLock said in a statement. Partners from Thailand's CP Group, Taiwan's C&J Forest, and Middle Eastern distributor Misbah presented sales and market October 22, 2025

Next round in Samsung vs. Apple: Galaxy XR joins mixed-reality race SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics unveiled its first mixed-reality headset, the Galaxy XR, on Wednesday in South Korea and the United States, entering the spatial computing race as a more affordable alternative to Apple’s Vision Pro and a sleeker model than Meta’s Quest. Powered by Qualcomm chipset and Google’s Android XR platform as well as Gemini AI assistant, the Galaxy XR is priced at 2.69 million won ($1,800), about half the cost of the Apple Vis October 22, 2025

Korea's telecom trio exposed in widening cybersecurity lapses SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korea's pride as an ICT powerhouse has taken another blow after LG Uplus joined SK Telecom and KT Corp. in suffering major security compromises this year, deepening public concern and demanding sober reckoning over corporate attention to cybersecurity. Security spending accounted for only about 6.3 percent of total IT investments by 773 Korean companies, according to the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA)'s information security disclo October 22, 2025

KCCI chief invites new Japanese PM to APEC CEO Summit in letter SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Choi Tae-won, chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has sent a letter congratulating Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on her election as the country’s leader. In the letter, delivered Wednesday, Choi, also chairman of SK Group, expressed confidence that Prime Minister Takaichi’s leadership would “bring new energy to Japan” and foster meaningful progress across the region. He underscored the imp October 22, 2025

Korea showcases its chipmaking future at SEDEX 2025 SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korea opened its largest semiconductor exhibition on Wednesday, bringing together industry leaders, engineers, and policymakers. The Semiconductor Expo, or SEDEX 2025, runs through Friday at COEX in Seoul and features more than 280 companies — including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Jusung Engineering, Dongjin Semichem, PSK, and Wonik — across more than 700 booths. Organizers expect roughly 60,000 visitors over the three-day event. October 22, 2025

KOTRA to operate 'K-Business Square' for APEC delegates SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korea will set up an exhibition booth highlighting its industrial achievements and future growth sectors for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, or KOTRA, said Wednesday that it will operate the “K-Business Square” in collaboration with the provincial government of North Gyeongsang and the city of Gyeongju for five weeks. The exhibition is designed to welcome visiti October 22, 2025

SK Ecoplant, Gyeryong Construction punished over fatal bridge collapse SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - The South Korean government has ordered two major construction firms, SK Ecoplant and Gyeryong Construction, to suspend operations for six months following a bridge collapse last year that killed a worker and injured several others in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the decision on Wednesday, saying the suspension will take effect from Dec. 1 through May 31 next year. The ministry said it was in October 22, 2025

Asian shares in positive, Seoul and Tokyo lead gains on tech and battery upside SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Major Asian stock markets remained broadly positive Wednesday, with Seoul and Tokyo taking the lead, although at moderated pace from recent rallies. In Seoul, the KOSPI advanced 0.7 percent to 3,815, while the KOSDAQ gained 0.9 percent to 1,146 as of midday. Bellwether Samsung Electronics extended gains, whereas SK hynix slipped on profit-taking after briefly touching the 500,000-won threshold. Petrochemical and battery material stocks led the winners on October 22, 2025