KOSPI closes higher as record August exports lift chip stocks SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - South Korean stocks closed higher on Tuesday, buoyed by record exports in early August that lifted semiconductor shares, although lingering uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz limited gains. The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.73 percent to 6,345.53, extending gains for a second straight session. The index opened 0.95 percent lower at 6,240.06 before reversing course, though gains remained limited through much of the session. The turnaround came after stronger e August 11, 2026

100 days to go for 2027 CSAT A student sets a timer while solving problems at Etoos 247 Academy's Daechi branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 100 days before the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), August 11, 2026. August 11, 2026

100 days to go for 2027 CSAT A student receives counseling at Etoos 247 Academy's Daechi branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 100 days before the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), August 11, 2026. August 11, 2026

100 days to go for 2027 CSAT Students study at Etoos 247 Academy's Daechi branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 100 days before the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), August 11, 2026. August 11, 2026

100 days to go for 2027 CSAT Students study at Etoos 247 Academy's Daechi branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 100 days before the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), August 11, 2026. August 11, 2026

Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor set to resume partial strikes this week SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor will resume partial strikes this week after wage negotiations failed to narrow differences last month. The workers, who had just returned from their summer holiday, decided Tuesday to stage additional rounds of partial strikes from Wednesday through early next week, halting production for four hours each on Wednesday and Thursday before extending the stoppage to six hours each on Friday and next Tuesday. If carried out August 11, 2026

Korea, Uzbekistan put AI minerals atop business agenda for C5 summit SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - Artificial intelligence, from the critical minerals needed to build its infrastructure to the data centers and digital technologies that power it, is emerging as the centerpiece of the business agenda for Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to South Korea next month. Mirziyoyev is expected to bring a roughly 200-strong business delegation to Seoul during his first state visit to South Korea in nearly five years, coinciding with the inaugural Kor August 11, 2026

Military AI sovereignty emerges as Asia's new defense front SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - The next contest for military power is no longer simply about who has the best weapons or even the most powerful artificial intelligence. It is increasingly about who controls the AI when the shooting starts. The United States has demonstrated the advantage of combining its AI software edge with military might. Japan, China and South Korea are now pursuing different strategies to ensure that critical military capabilities do not become dependent on technolog August 11, 2026

Korea's won, bonds buck global trend after stocks dominate H1 SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - The KOSPI and chip stocks sucked up capital and attention in the first half, but as the second half gets under way, it is the Korean won and bonds that are bucking the global trend and gaining ground. Whether that strength can last is less certain. Their divergence from U.S. markets rests partly on short-covering in bonds and expectations of corporate dollar conversions supporting the won — forces that could prove temporary. The U.S. 10-year Treasur August 11, 2026

Samsung brings cross-device gaming lineup to Gamescom 2026 SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics will showcase a gaming lineup spanning PCs, consoles and mobile devices at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, as the South Korean tech giant seeks to connect its hardware portfolio across gaming platforms. The world's largest gaming exhibition will run from Aug. 26 to 30, with about 1,500 software, hardware and game content companies expected to participate. Last year's event drew 360,000 visitors, according to Samsung. Samsu August 11, 2026