Won pares early losses after U.S. yen buying; Korean bond yields little changed SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - The South Korean won recovered most of its early losses on Monday as the impact of U.S. yen buying carried into Asian currency markets, while Korean government bond yields were little changed ahead of inflation data. The won stood at 1,431.1 per dollar at 3:30 p.m., remaining 7.1 won weaker than Friday’s corresponding level. The exchange rate climbed into the 1,440 range after trading resumed on Monday morning as weekend developments and renewed w August 3, 2026

aespa to launch world tour with global cinema livestream from Seoul SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - K-pop girl group aespa will kick off its new world tour this week, with the opening concert simultaneously screened in movie theaters across 11 regions worldwide. SM Entertainment said Monday that the first show of "2026-27 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK : COMPLaeXITY" on Aug. 7 will be broadcast live in 146 cinemas across 11 markets, including South Korea, allowing fans around the world to watch the group's world tour opene August 3, 2026

South Korean soprano Sumi Jo receives Maria Callas SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - South Korean soprano Sumi Jo has received the 12th Premio Internazionale Maria Callas, becoming the first Asian artist to receive the Italian honor in the year she marks the 40th anniversary of her international debut. PRM, Jo's publicity agency, said Monday that she accepted the award in Verona on Sunday, where organizers hold the annual ceremony each Aug. 2, the anniversary of Maria Callas' debut at the Arena di Verona in 1947. The prize recogniz August 3, 2026

Korea readies maiden Arctic voyage to chart new container route SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - South Korea is set to sail its first container ship from Busan to Rotterdam through Russian Arctic waters as early as this month, which will mark a milestone voyage that could reshape trade between Northeast Asia and Europe while offering an alternative route amid mounting geopolitical risks. Busan-based PanStar Line, selected to operate the government-backed pilot voyage, has acquired HMM's 2,700-TEU container ship Mombasa and renamed it PanStar Acro. T August 3, 2026

Seoul Sizzles as Heat Wave Hits 37°C Heat haze shimmers above a road near a bus transfer center in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, as heat wave warnings were issued across most parts of South Korea on Aug. 3, 2026. The daytime high in Seoul soared to 37 degrees Celsius. August 3, 2026

Seoul Station Crowds Peak in Holiday Season Passengers wait for trains in the concourse of Seoul Station in central Seoul during the peak summer holiday season on the afternoon of Aug. 3, 2026. August 3, 2026

Namdaemun Market Announces Summer Break A notice informing visitors of summer vacation dates is posted at Namdaemun Market in central Seoul as the peak summer holiday season gets underway on Aug. 3, 2026. Vacation schedules for individual stores are available on the official website of Namdaemun Market, part of the Namdaemun Special Tourist Zone. August 3, 2026

Korea's 40C heat sends KOSDAQ-listed cooling appliance stocks soaring SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) — Cooling appliance stocks on South Korea's junior KOSDAQ market rallied Monday as record-breaking heat and prolonged tropical nights fueled demand for air conditioners, fans and dehumidifiers. Winix, which manufactures dehumidifiers and other home appliances, jumped 21.45 percent to close at 5,860 won. Paseco and Shinil Electronics, both known for electric fans and seasonal home appliances, gained 10.44 percent and 3.56 percent, respectively. SPG, a August 3, 2026

Samsung's latest foldables head into final hours of preorders SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics' latest foldable smartphones entered the final day of preorders on Monday, with promotional offers set to expire as the company looks to build on expectations that its newest lineup could surpass the previous generation's record launch. Samsung said customers visiting Samsung Stores and other retail outlets on the final day of preorders showed strong interest in the new devices' design and features, while many inquired abou August 3, 2026

HBM war enters new phase as Samsung chases SK hynix SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - SK hynix remained the clear leader in the game-changing high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market through the first half, but the second half could mark the beginning of a new phase as Samsung Electronics pushes aggressively to close the gap with next-generation HBM4. The rivalry came into sharper focus following the two companies' second-quarter earnings calls on July 29 and July 30, when South Korea's two memory giants used their outlook presentations t August 3, 2026