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  Hot Stock: Debt overhang drags Hanwha Solutions in recovery bourse SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) -Shares of Hanwha Solutions Co. were largely grounded and sidelined from a KOSPI rebound of more than 7 percent from expectations of a Gulf war exit Wednesday, weighed down by debt overhang and dilution concerns. In its disclosure of 2025 annual report, the company classified a €215 million ($249 million) foreign-currency loan held by its European subsidiary, Q Energy Solutions SE, as a current liability despite its maturity dated February 2028. The lo April 1, 2026
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  Seoul leads Asian bourse rally on war endgame hopes SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) - Asian markets surged Wednesday, with Seoul leading gains as investors moved on bargain-hunting opportunities amid signs the Middle East conflict may be winding down. U.S. President Donald Trump is due to hold a press conference later Wednesday after signaling a possible withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iran within “two to three weeks.” Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.5 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite gai April 1, 2026
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  Navy deploys US Seahawks to boost South Korea's naval capabilities SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - The U.S. MH-60R Seahawk, a multi-mission maritime helicopter, has been deployed in South Korea, the Navy said on Wednesday. The deployment follows the delivery of two MH-60Rs by American defense and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin under a deal signed with the U.S. in December 2020 to procure around a dozen, with the remaining units to be gradually deployed, making South Korea the seventh country to operate the highly versatile helicopter, widely regar April 1, 2026
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  Lee set for talks with Indonesian president SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is set to hold a summit with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Seoul on Wednesday. In a written press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to expand cooperation in trade, defense, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, while further deepening bilateral relations. Their discussions are expected to focus on defense coo April 1, 2026
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  South Korea's March exports hit $80b mark SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) — South Korea raised the bar on exports again, achieving fresh monthly high of over $80 billion in March as an unprecedented boom in the semiconductor sector more than offset supply disruptions from the outbreak of a war in the Middle East. According to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Wednesday, exports for March reached all-time monthly high of $86.13 billion, up 48.3 percent on year. The previous monthly record was $69.5 April 1, 2026
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  Another goalless defeat in friendly dims South Korea's World Cup hopes SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - With the FIFA World Cup just three months away, South Korea suffered a 1-0 defeat to Austria in a friendly match held in Vienna on Tuesday, raising concerns ahead of the quadrennial global extravaganza. It was its second straight goalless defeat after a 4-0 loss to Ivory Coast in London last Saturday. Despite having 11 shooting attempts, well ahead of Austria's five, South Korea with a full lineup of star players like Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC, Le April 1, 2026
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  Korean stocks and won roar back on Gulf endgame hopes SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) - The first buy-side sidecar in 10 trading sessions was triggered on the Seoul bourse at the open Wednesday, as the market surged nearly 5 percent with institutions returning in force on expectations the war may be winding down following overnight comments by U.S. President Donald Trump. The benchmark KOSPI rose 4.9 percent to reclaim the 5,300 mark, while the KOSDAQ gained 4.6 percent to move above 1,100. The U.S. dollar also fell back below the 1,510 April 1, 2026
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  April squeeze forces K-pop acts to fight to spotlight  SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) - April may prove a cruel month for some K-pop acts, as a crowded comeback calendar squeezes much of the first half’s release schedule into a single month. At least 27 acts are set to return in April, ranging from major-label groups and established stars to rookies and soloists. What was supposed to be a strategy to avoid head-on clashes with mega events — including BTS’s return and major political and sporting fixtures — has instead p April 1, 2026
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  Seoul signals use of rarely-used emergency order to fast-track "war" budget SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) -South Korea is pushing ahead with an aggressive fiscal response to cushion the economic shock from the Middle East war, unveiling a 26.2 trillion won ($19.4 billion) supplementary budget aimed at stabilizing energy prices, supporting households and shielding key industries — despite the risk of stoking inflationary pressure with the won hovering at 2009 crisis-era lows. The emergency package, approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae M March 31, 2026
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  Tree-planting events begin nationwide ahead of Arbor Day Gyeonggi, March 31 (AJP) - A tree-planting event took place at a park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Tuesday, about a week ahead of Arbor Day. The spring day, which falls on April 5 and marks the 81st anniversary this year, has been observed since 1946 to raise awareness of the importance of trees and forest resources, encouraging tree planting to restore devastated forests and create a more pleasant living environment. Although Arbor Day is no longer observed as a public holid March 31, 2026