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  KOSPI bounces above 4,000 in broad mixed Asia markets SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI climbed back above the 4,000 level on Wednesday, supported by overnight gains on Wall Street. In Seoul, the KOSPI rose 1.1 percent to 4,039.21 as of 10:08 a.m., recovering the 4,000 mark for the first time in nine sessions. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ added 0.3 percent to 930.74. Among blue chips, Samsung Electronics advanced 1.9 percent to 105,350 won ($71), while SK hynix slipped 0.3 percent to 556,500 won. Except for SK December 3, 2025
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  PHOTOS: One year since martial law crisis SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the martial law decree imposed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol. President Lee Jae Myung used his address to the nation to reflect on the unprecedented crisis and highlight the role of citizens in defending the constitutional order. "The fact that our citizens peacefully defeated the illegal martial law and expelled the unjust power is a monumental event that will be eternally remembered in th December 3, 2025
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  Former president shares thoughts on martial law debacle, urges stronger democracy SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - Former President Moon Jae-in shared his thoughts on social media on Wednesday, joining others in marking last year's martial law debacle that plunged the country into political turmoil. "I am very proud of our citizens who defended democracy and demonstrated the country's remarkable democratic resilience to the world," Moon wrote on Facebook. But he pointed out, "The forces behind have show December 3, 2025
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  South Korea's Doosan Bobcat files 14 patent suits against US machinery maker Caterpillar SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Doosan Bobcat’s North American unit has filed a series of patent infringement lawsuits against U.S. construction machinery maker Caterpillar. The company said Wednesday it has lodged complaints covering 14 patents with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Unified Patent Court in Europe, and a federal court in Germany. “The patents in this lawsuit protect unique features o December 3, 2025
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  Hanwha Systems plans to develop Korea's first homegrown satellite semiconductor SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems has launched development of what it says will be South Korea’s first satellite semiconductor built entirely with domestic technology, marking a major step toward self-reliance in defense-oriented space systems. The company said Wednesday it has signed an agreement with the Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute to co-develop “transceiver space semiconductor technology for (ultra) small-satellite multi-channel beamfor December 3, 2025
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  Lee hails citizens' courage on first anniversary of martial law debacle SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday consoled and praised South Korean people, highlighting the country's resilient democracy, one year after disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle. In his nationwide address at the presidential office in Seoul, he praised the people, saying, "I am convinced that South Koreans, who overcame an unprecedented democratic crisis in world history through peaceful means, are fully deserving of December 3, 2025
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  Samsung's double-folding smartphone raises stakes in global foldable phone race SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has unveiled the Galaxy Z TriFold, the company’s first smartphone capable of folding twice, marking its most ambitious entry yet in the fast-evolving foldables segment. The device was officially launched at a media event in Seoul on Tuesday, after being previewed at the APEC CEO Summit in October. “The Galaxy Z TriFold represents the evolution of our smartphone design and engineering capabilities since o December 3, 2025
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  Korea fast-tracks special laws to rescue steel and petrochemical sectors SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s steel and petrochemical industries are coming under renewed strain amid a global economic slowdown and intensifying competition from China, prompting the government to move quickly on targeted legislation to stabilize two of the country’s most critical industrial pillars. Following the recent passage of the K-Steel Act, the Petrochemical Industry Competitiveness and Support Act is also expected to clear the National Assemb December 3, 2025
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  South Korea should remember Dec. 3 as Democracy Memorial Day "A year has passed since the insurrection, yet darkness still lingers," said the ruling party leader, reflecting on the chaos following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law. This statement underscores the ongoing turmoil in society. Since last December, this column has frequently criticized the martial law, mentioning terms like 'impeachment,' 'presidential election,' 'special prosecutor,' and 'People Power Party.' Even when December 3, 2025
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  South Korea's FX reserves rise for sixth month to $430.7 billion SEOUL, December 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s foreign exchange reserves climbed for a sixth straight month in November, rising by $1.84 billion to $430.66 billion — the highest level since August 2022 — the Bank of Korea (BOK) said on Wednesday. The steady increase follows a five-year low of $404.6 billion recorded in May. The central bank said the latest gain was driven by higher investment returns and an uptick in foreign-currency deposits held by domestic fina December 3, 2025