Koreans' overseas stock buying nearly matches current account surplus SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - South Korean purchases of overseas stocks tripled from a year earlier to a record high last year, nearly matching the country’s record current account surplus, according to central bank data released on Friday. Preliminary balance-of-payments figures from the Bank of Korea (BOK) showed South Korean residents bought $114.3 billion worth of foreign equities in 2025, up $72.2 billion from the previous year. That amounted to 92.9 percent of t February 6, 2026

Korea's record C/A surplus pales by near-tripling capital outflows SEOUL, Feb. 06 (AJP) -The black figure in South Korea’s current account stretched to a monthly high in December and an annual high for 2025 thanks to red-hot chip sales, but the bulk of the gains went to defending the Korean currency against rapid depreciation and funding outbound investments, data showed. According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday, the current account in December recorded a surplus of $18.7 billion, an increase of more than $6 billion from t February 6, 2026

Regional winner becomes this week's biggest loser due to foreign selloff SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Markets across Asia flashed red Friday following a broad Wall Street pullback, with hitherto regional winner Korean stocks hardest hit by a global institutional selling spree. Losses in AI and big-tech shares on Nasdaq loomed over the KOSPI amid a decisive position shift by domestic and foreign institutions this week, setting off the second sell-side sidecar this week. Traders said the correction was inevitable after an almost nonstop rally this year February 6, 2026

KAIST researchers uncover secret of anticancer compound production in native Korean shrub SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have identified the core process by which the native Korean plant Flueggea suffruticosa, commonly known as leaf flower or gwangdaessari, produces securinine, a compound known for its anticancer properties. The discovery, made after 70 years of scientific uncertainty, provides a foundation for the stable production of anticancer substances using synthetic biology. KAIST announced on Jan February 6, 2026

30-man roster unveiled for next month's World Baseball Classic SEOUL, February 6 (AJP) - A 30-man roster for the World Baseball Classic, an international tournament, was unveiled by the Korea Baseball Organization on Friday. The tournament will be held from March 5 to 17, with games played in Houston, Miami, Puerto Rico and Tokyo. The roster includes two Major League Baseball players such as outfielder Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants and shortstop Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angles Dodgers. Also included are four MLB players of Ko February 6, 2026

HD Hyundai Marine Solution wins power plant maintenance deal in Ecuador SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - South Korea's HD Hyundai Marine Solution has signed a $56 million maintenance contract with Ecuador’s state power utility to support operations at thermal power plants amid the country’s ongoing energy shortages. Under the agreement, the company will supply engine and auxiliary equipment maintenance packages through early 2027 for eight thermal power plants operated by the utility, with combined generation capacity of about 400 megawatt February 6, 2026

Hanwha Aerospace, KAI sign pact to develop aircraft engines, drones SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have agreed to cooperate on key future defense and aerospace projects, including development of aircraft engines and unmanned aircraft systems, the companies said on Friday. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding on Feb. 5 at Hanwha Building in central Seoul aimed at strengthening the global competitiveness of South Korea’s defense industry. The signing ceremony was attended by Han February 6, 2026

KOSPI takes 4% hit for third session in a row, second sidecar activated in a week SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) – The downward spiral continued on the Seoul bourse Friday, with the main and secondary indices sliding more than 4 percent in early trading, triggering a sell-side sidecar for the second time this week. The Korea Exchange said a sell-side sidecar was activated on the main KOSPI board at 9:06 a.m. local time. The measure temporarily suspends program selling for five minutes to help contain excessive price swings. A sell-side sidecar is triggered when K February 6, 2026

Coupang to face another questioning amid US House's probe into 'unfair' practices SEOUL, February 6 (AJP) - Harold Rogers, e-commerce giant Coupang's interim chief in South Korea, is set to appear for another round of questioning in Seoul on Friday over allegations related to a massive data breach detected late last year. Rogers is accused of obstructing official duties by allegedly destroying evidence during an internal investigation into a data leak that affected more than 3,000 users and exposed their sensitive personal information last November. He is February 6, 2026

Naver posts double-digit revenue, profit growth, boosted by AI-driven advertising SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - South Korea’s Naver Corp. reported double-digit growth in revenue and operating profit last year, supported by gains in advertising, e-commerce and fintech businesses, the company said in a regulatory filing on Friday. Consolidated revenue for 2025 rose 12.1 percent from a year earlier to 12 trillion won, while operating profit increased 11.6 percent to 2.21 trillion won. Fourth-quarter revenue climbed 10.7 percent on year to 3.2 trillion won, February 6, 2026