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South Korea's finance chief warns won's volatility remains high, vows swift action SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - South Korea’s deputy prime minister and finance minister Koo Yun-cheol said on Thursday that volatility in the foreign exchange market “remains high," pledging swift follow-up measures to stabilize overall conditions. Koo made the remarks at a policy coordination meeting attended by Bank of Korea Governor Lee Chang-yong, Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Chan-jin and Financial Services Commission Vice Chairman Kwon D January 8, 2026
[CES 2026] Hyundai Mobis deepens future mobility push with Boston Dynamics, Qualcomm ties LAS VEGAS, January 08 (AJP) - South Korea's Hyundai Mobis has announced a series of strategic partnerships at CES 2026 in Las Vegas aimed at expanding its role in future mobility, including a robotics supply deal with Boston Dynamics and a technology cooperation agreement with Qualcomm. As part of Hyundai Motor Group’s push to build an artificial-intelligence-driven robotics ecosystem, Hyundai Mobis said it has established a cooperation framework with Boston Dynamics a January 8, 2026
South Korea urged to diversify strategic mineral sourcing amid China risks SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) - China’s curbs on exports of strategic minerals, including rare earths, are intensifying calls for South Korea to accelerate efforts to stabilize its supply chain, with business and academic circles urging the government to diversify sourcing and offer stronger incentives for refining and processing. South Korea’s government-led drive to secure strategic minerals has largely stalled for more than a decade. While trading houses and materials c January 8, 2026
Samsung Elec estimates best-ever income $14 bn for Q4 and $30 bn for full 2025 SEOUL, January 08 (AJP) -Samsung Electronics reported record 20 trillion won ($14 billion) in operating profit for the quarter ended December and 43.5 trillion won for full-year 2025 — driven by the so-called “hyper bull” cycle in memory chips amid widening artificial intelligence adoption. In its earnings guidance released Thursday, the South Korean tech giant said it is estimated to have raked in 20 trillion won in operating profit for the October–Decemb January 8, 2026
China's export curbs on Japan risk collateral damage to Korean chipmakers SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - South Korean technology producers that rely on both China and Japan for critical raw and intermediate inputs may find themselves caught in the crossfire of rising U.S.–Japan tensions, after Beijing imposed sweeping export restrictions on more than 1,000 so-called “dual-use” items bound for Japan. China announced a blanket ban on the export of dual-use goods to Japan while hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for a state visit and January 7, 2026
Samsung Elec shares hit record high on red-hot earnings outlook ahead of Q4 guidance SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - Shares of Samsung Electronics climbed to a fresh record high Wednesday, extending a near-nonstop rally since late December as investors bet on the company’s strongest quarterly and annual earnings in seven years. The stock has surged about 32 percent since Dec. 22, rising from a Dec. 19 close of 106,300 won to 141,000 won Wednesday, amid mounting optimism over a renewed memory supercycle fueled by artificial intelligence demand. Samsung Electroni January 7, 2026
South Korea to import eggs, cut mackerel prices as it targets rising living costs SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - South Korea will move to stabilize prices of fresh eggs and mackerel as part of broader efforts to curb rising living costs, the finance ministry said on Wednesday. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said the government has begun procedures to import 2.24 million fresh eggs and supply them to the domestic market in January, responding to a growing cull of laying hens amid the spread of avian influenza. Authorities will also cons January 7, 2026
South Korea draws record FDI in 2025 as investor sentiment improves SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - South Korea’s foreign direct investment (FDI) reached a record high last year, rebounding strongly in the second half after a sluggish start, government data showed on Wednesday. FDI commitments in 2025 rose 4.3 percent from a year earlier to $36.05 billion, the highest level on record, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Funds actually received increased 16.3 percent to $17.95 billion, the third-highest total to date. The January 7, 2026
Aekyung recalls popular 2080 toothpastes containing banned preservative SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - Aekyung Industrial said on Wednesday it is voluntarily recalling six toothpaste products manufactured in China after testing detected a preservative ingredient that is banned from use in oral-care products in South Korea. The recalled items are 2080 Basic Toothpaste, 2080 Daily Care Toothpaste, 2080 Smart Care Plus Toothpaste, 2080 Classic Care Toothpaste, 2080 Triple Effect Alpha Fresh Toothpaste and 2080 Triple Effect Alpha Strong Toothpaste. The p January 7, 2026
HD Hyundai Heavy another US Navy ship repair contract SEOUL, January 07 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has secured another maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract from the U.S. Navy, this time for a logistics support vessel assigned to the Navy’s 7th Fleet. The company said on Wednesday it recently won a regular overhaul project for the 41,000-ton cargo ship USNS Cesar Chavez, which was commissioned in 2012, without revealing the value of the contract. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said it will begin work on Jan January 7, 2026