KOSPI leads Asia lower as AI slowdown debate hits memory stocks SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) -Asian stocks opened the week lower Monday, with South Korea's KOSPI falling more than 3 percent as a widening debate over slowing AI development hit its memory-chip heavyweights. The KOSPI opened 3.1 percent lower and traded as low as 6,669.3. The benchmark was down 210.7 points at 6,699.2 in morning trading. SK hynix, the world's second-largest memory chipmaker, fell 5.0 percent to 1,721,000 won ($1,279). Samsung Electronics dropped 3.0 percent September 14, 2026

RIIZE celebrate 3rd anniversary of debut with plans for new albums SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - K-pop boy group RIIZE unveiled plans for a new single next month and a second full-length album next spring during a sold-out fan event in Incheon over the weekend, SM Entertainment said on Monday. They held their third-anniversary event, dubbed "Ch. RIIZE: ON AIR," on Saturday and Sunday at Inspire Arena in Incheon, with the venue opened in a 360-degree configuration for the event, drawing about 23,000 people over the two days. RIIZE perform September 14, 2026

Korea stock trading extends to 8 p.m. from Monday SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) — The Seoul bourse will stay open until 8 p.m. from Monday under a new after-hours trading system that extends trading well beyond the regular session's 3:30 p.m. close. The Korea Exchange (KRX) will introduce a new after-market session running from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., allowing investors to trade most KOSPI and KOSDAQ shares in real time long after the regular session closes. The new session replaces a much more limited after-hours system. The pr September 14, 2026

aespa set to release single of concert tracks SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - K-pop girl group aespa will release four solo tracks performed during their Seoul concert in August, their agency SM Entertainment said on Monday. The songs are set to be released at 6 p.m. later in the day through major music streaming platforms under the title "SYNK : COMPLaeXITY - 2026 Special Digital Single." The tracks were first unveiled during aespa's concert at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul and feature solo songs by all four members. September 14, 2026

S. Korea, U.S. hold defense talks in Busan amid Hormuz pressure SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - South Korea and the United States will hold high-level defense talks in Busan this week amid growing pressure from Washington for a South Korean contribution to U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the defense ministry in Seoul Monday. The 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue, or KIDD, will take place in the southeastern port city from Wednesday through Friday, the Ministry of National Defense said. Kim Hong-cheol, director gene September 14, 2026

Air Premia to launch new flights to Sapporo this winter SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - Air Premia will offer a new route to Sapporo, Japan starting this winter, the low-cost carrier said on Sunday. The route to the island country's popular winter destination will begin on Dec. 2, with flights four times a week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, using a Boeing 787-9. They will depart Incheon at 9:40 a.m. and arrive at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido at 12:20 p.m. Return flights will leave Sapporo at 1:45 p.m. and arriv September 14, 2026

Lee's approval rating hits dismal low as young voters turn against him SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating has fallen to a record low of 33.8 percent, according to a poll released on Monday. Pollster Realmeter surveyed more than 2,500 adults nationwide last week and found that 33.8 percent of respondents said Lee was doing a good job, down 3.6 percentage points from the previous week. It marked the ninth consecutive week of decline and the lowest since he took office in June last year. It was the lowest level September 14, 2026

SK AX wins Korean govt award for in-house AI training program SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - SK AX has gained a government validation for its in-house program training and certifying employees in generative artificial intelligence. The award was presented by The Ministry of Employment and Labor on Sept. 11 at a human-resources development conference at COEX Magok in Seoul, cited as a standout case under a government program that endorses corporate qualifications. The company has already been awarded with government validation for in-house cou September 14, 2026

North Korea conducts joint artillery firing drill, state media confirms SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - North Korea has conducted a large-scale joint drill involving artillery and missile units, state media reported on Monday, days after Pyongyang launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that last Saturday's drill involved selected military units from five artillery and missile units and featured what it described as new combat systems including various attack drones, tactical cru September 14, 2026

Corporate tax to top income tax '27 as chips reshape Korea's tax base SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) -South Korea’s corporate tax revenue is projected to more than double next year from this year’s supplementary-budget estimate and exceed income tax receipts for the first time in 15 years, as the semiconductor windfall is expected to continue well into 2027. Corporate tax revenue is forecast to reach a record 216.7 trillion won ($161.5 billion) in 2027, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy’s national tax revenue budget plan, September 14, 2026