KOSPI rises above 7,000 on record chip exports despite foreign selling SEOUL, Sept. 21 (AJP) - Record semiconductor exports lifted South Korea's KOSPI back above 7,000 on Monday. The rally rested largely on domestic institutions and Samsung Electronics, while foreign investors were net sellers again by the close. The benchmark index rose 1.65 percent or 113.49 points to 7,007.72, its first close above the mark since Sept. 9. Samsung jumped 4.98 percent. SK hynix gained only 0.59 percent. Institutions bought a net 1.49 trillion won (US$1.08 bil September 21, 2026

Tata Daewoo Mobility aims to expand fire truck business in Viet Nam SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Commercial vehicle manufacturer Tata Daewoo Mobility plans to expand its fire truck and other vehicle businesses in Viet Nam, the company said on Monday. It recently supplied two firefighting vehicles built on its flagship MAXEN heavy-duty truck platform to Hanoi's Fire and Rescue Police Authority. They can be operated remotely to approach dangerous fire sites, break through walls or other structures and spray water directly at the source of a fire September 21, 2026

Neosapience surges over 200% in KOSDAQ debut SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Generative artificial intelligence (AI) voice technology firm Neosapience surged more than 200 percent above its initial public offering (IPO) price on its KOSDAQ debut on Monday. Shares traded at 27,350 won (US$19.76) as of around 2 p.m., up 173.5 percent from the IPO price of 10,000 won. The stock rose as high as 30,750 won during the session after opening at 25,250 won. The sharp debut followed strong retail demand. The Sept. 10-11 public offering September 21, 2026

Yen-backed stablecoin soars after Upbit debut SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Trading in yen-pegged stablecoin JPYC jumped about 200-fold after its listing on South Korea's Upbit exchange, with blockchain transfers and new issuance also surging, industry data showed on Monday. JPYC trading volume reached 45.1 billion won (US$32.49 million) last Saturday, compared with a daily average of $163,020 during the roughly 11 months before the token was listed, according to CoinGecko. The turnover was also more than 500 times the $64 September 21, 2026

Chip rally lifts KOSPI above 7,000 SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark index climbed back above 7,000 on Monday morning, lifted largely by chipmakers, while the broader market failed to keep pace. More stocks on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell than rose. The index gained 100.94 points, or 1.5 percent, to 6,995.17. The index touched 7,007.10 shortly after trading began, marking its first climb above 7,000 in eight sessions, before retreating. Decliners outnumbered advancers, September 21, 2026

KOSPI jumps 2.7% as chips rally on lower oil, yields SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korean stocks jumped nearly 3 percent Friday as falling oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields eased inflation concerns. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the broad rebound as foreign investors returned after uncertainties over rate decisions by the U.S. and Japanese central banks were removed. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 6,894.23, up 2.66 percent from the previous session. The index opened 2.54 percent higher at around 6,885 and climbed as h September 18, 2026

Seoul markets take Japan's 31-year high rate in stride SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) -South Korean capital markets responded coolly to the Bank of Japan's rate hike to a 31-year high Friday, with the widely expected move causing little ripple as the global tightening cycle had largely been priced in. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.25 percent in a 7-2 vote at the end of its two-day monetary policy meeting, resuming tightening after a three-month pause. The increase took the policy rate September 18, 2026

KOSPI gains 1.8% as foreign buying lift market SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korean stocks rebounded Friday morning as falling U.S. Treasury yields and oil prices lifted technology shares, with foreign investors leading the chip buying spree. As of 10:30 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI stood at 6,835.12, up 1.8 percent. The index opened sharply higher and climbed as high as 6,885.70 before trimming gains. Foreign investors bought a net 151.5 billion won ($109 million) of KOSPI shares, reversing course after eight consecu September 18, 2026

Foreign investors return to South Korean stocks after months of selling SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Foreign investors turned net buyers of South Korean stocks in August, ending seven months of selling, while sharply reducing their bond holdings, according to data released by the Financial Supervisory Service on Friday. They bought 344 billion won (US$249 million) worth of listed South Korean stocks in August, marking their first monthly net purchase since December last year. Most of the purchases were made on the main board, with foreign investors September 18, 2026

Fed weakens won, flattens curve before BOJ decision SEOUL, Sept. 17 (AJP) — A Federal Reserve rate hike sent the won sharply lower and flattened South Korea's bond curve Thursday, leaving Friday's widely expected Bank of Japan rate increase — and its guidance on further tightening — as the next test for Korean markets. The won closed down 13.6 won at 1,382.2 per dollar from Wednesday's 1,368.6 after the Fed raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 3.75-4.00 percent and signaled scope for another i September 17, 2026