Leverage builds as South Korean investors chase stock gains

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) — South Koreans are taking on more debt to invest in stocks, as a wave of market optimism drives both leveraged trading and record cash holdings at brokerages. Margin loans — money borrowed from securities firms to buy shares — climbed above 25 trillion won ($18.1 billion) for the first time, reaching 25.1 trillion won as of Thursday, according to data from the Korea Financial Investment Association. That represents an 8 percent increase

October 30, 2025

Xi enters as Trump exits the APEC stage

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - What should have been a venue for championing free trade and regional cooperation on shared challenges — from AI governance to climate change — instead turned into a geopolitical showcase between the world's two superpowers. Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital hosting South Korea's first APEC summit in 20 years, became the stage for a U.S.–China hegemony face-off as President Xi Jinping arrived just as U.S. President Donald Trump

October 30, 2025

Lee stresses China's 'constructive role' for North Korea's denuclearization

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has stressed China's "constructive role" in maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, Beijing's Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday. Lee said South Korea "urgently needs China's constructive role in order to achieve a substantive solution" for nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula, in a written interview with the state-run news agency coinciding with Chinese President Xi Jinpi

October 30, 2025

Shinsegae Duty Free follows Shilla in retreat from Incheon airport as losses mount

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - Another of South Korea’s leading duty-free operators is retreating from Incheon International Airport, as mounting rental costs and sluggish traveler spending continue to erode profits in what was once one of the world’s most lucrative retail hubs. Following Shilla Duty Free’s withdrawal last month, Shinsegae Duty Free said Thursday it will return part of its concession rights at the Incheon airport, citing heavy financial losses and a

October 30, 2025

Hyundai Motor's Q3 profit dips 29% on U.S. tariff shock; shares hold firm on trade deal

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor reported a sharp retreat in third-quarter operating profit Thursday as the spike in U.S. auto tariffs wiped more than $1 billion from the automaker’s bottom line, but reiterated that its EV and expansion strategy in the U.S. remains intact regardless of setbacks. South Korea’s largest automaker — and the world’s No. 3 as of March — said operating profit fell 29.6 percent on quarter and 29.2 percent on year to 2.

October 30, 2025

PHOTOS: What to know about ancient gold crown among lavish gifts to Trump in Gyeongju

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - A glittery gold-plated replica of an ancient crown was among the lavish gifts showered to U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju this week. The eye-catching replica, symbolizing the summit's venue, once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla that flourished for over 1,000 years, was specially crafted by veteran artisan Kim Jin-bae in

October 30, 2025

Chile's President Boric urges deeper partnership with South Korea beyond trade

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Thursday called for a broader partnership with South Korea that extends beyond trade and investment, emphasizing shared democratic values, culture, and innovation as the foundation for future cooperation. Speaking at the Korea-Chile Business Forum at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, Boric said he had traveled nearly 35 hours from Santiago to attend, calling the visit a symbol. "Despite the 18,000 kilometers that separate

October 30, 2025

South Korea begins beef exports to UAE

Korean beef products at a market in Seoul on Oct. 27, 2025/ Yonhap SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - South Korea has shipped its first beef exports to the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Thursday that about 1.5 tons of chilled and frozen Korean beef were shipped to the UAE, marking South Korea’s formal debut in the country’s $1.9 billion halal beef market. A ceremony celebrating the inaugural shipment was held at the National Agri

October 30, 2025

South Korea's LS Electric to co-develop power systems for UK data centers

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s LS Electric is accelerating its push into the global data center market, forming new international partnerships to strengthen its foothold in advanced power infrastructure. The company said on Thursday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Elecsis, a British manufacturer of low-voltage switchboards, to co-develop power systems tailored for data centers in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2001 and based in Bristol, El

October 30, 2025

Lee holds talks with Canadian PM in Gyeongju

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung agreed to expand cooperation in the defense and economic sectors with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during their summit on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea's historic city of Gyeongju. Hailing the North American country as a "key ally," Lee highlighted the special relationship between the two nations, recalling Canada's military support during

October 30, 2025