KOSPI hits fresh record as chip rally lifts market ahead of looming US-Iran talks SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - Asian markets mostly opened higher on Tuesday amid growing expectations ahead of looming talks between the United States and Iran to end the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI hit an all-time high of 6,355.39 during morning trading, breaking the previous intraday record set on Feb. 27, while the junior KOSDAQ edged down 0.03 percent to 1,174.52. Shareholder returns are gaining momentum. Total cash dividends by KOSPI-listed April 21, 2026

South Korea posts record exports in April as semiconductor shipments soar SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - South Korea's exports jumped sharply in the first 20 days of this month, driven largely by strong global demand for semiconductors, according to figures released by the Korea Customs Service on Tuesday. Outbound shipments surged to US$50.4 billion between April 1 and 20, up 49.4 percent from a year earlier, the highest level ever recorded for the period and surpassing the previous record of $36.4 billion in 2022. Imports also increased 17.7 percent dur April 21, 2026

New Bank of Korea chief stresses "discretion" as oil shock weighs prices and growth SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) —New Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song underlined “discretion” and “flexibility” in steering monetary policy as Middle East-driven supply disruptions stoke inflation while weighing on growth. “Upward pressure on prices and downward pressure on the economy have simultaneously increased due to rising international oil prices following the Middle East conflict,” Shin said in his inauguration address Tuesday, as he April 21, 2026

KOSPI sets fresh record, powered by chip stocks SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI touched new heights in early Tuesday session with its new bullish momentum undisturbed by the uncertainties in the Middle East ahead of the expiration of truce between the U.S. and Iran as it prices in record first-quarter reports from SK hynix scheduled for Thursday. As of 9:50 a.m., the main index stood at 6,341.94, up 1.94 percent, after topping 6,350 earlier in the session on heavy foreign buying from the open. The le April 21, 2026

Asian stocks close higher amid cautious optimism over possible fresh US-Iran talks SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Asian stock markets closed higher on Monday as investors bet on optimism ahead of another round of ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, lifting overall market sentiment despite lingering tensions in the Middle East. Despite conflicting reports of impending talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, with Iran denying any plans to negotiate, the benchmark KOSPI in Seoul gained 0.44 percent to close at 6,219.09, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ rose 0.41 percent to f April 20, 2026

BOK's new chief to start work Tues after last-minute confirmation SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) — South Korea’s incoming central bank chief Shin Hyun-song is set to begin his term Tuesday under a cloud of unresolved personal controversies, after the National Assembly approved his confirmation report Monday following two earlier rejections. Shin marks the first nominee for the Bank of Korea governorship to fail to secure initial approval from the parliamentary Strategy and Finance Committee since confirmation hearings became mandatory in 20 April 20, 2026

BOK's Rhee swan song: central bank must act as think tank beyond rate tools SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) — Bank of Korea Governor (BOK) Rhee Chang-yong emphasized the central bank’s dual role as a think tank in his swan-song remarks before retiring Monday, even as critics argued the Bank of Korea strayed into non-monetary areas such as housing and education under his watch. In his final speech before stepping down, Rhee reflected on the limits of traditional policy tools after navigating multiple crises over the past four years. “Managin April 20, 2026

Asian markets open the week on positive note despite Hormuz uncertainties SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Most Asian markets opened the week higher Monday despite conflicting developments in the Middle East ahead of the Tuesday expiration of the truce between the United States and Iran. Hopes had risen last week that the conflict might ease and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, but Iran said over the weekend that the strait remained closed. Reports that two Indian-flagged vessels were forced to turn back added to concerns over the security of shipping thr April 20, 2026

Korean stocks slip as foreign investors offload $1.34 billion in shares SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Korean stocks closed lower Friday, retreating from recent highs as foreign investors led broad-based selling. Lingering geopolitical uncertainty continued to cap risk appetite despite signs of potential de-escalation in the Middle East. Other Asian markets also traded lower, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 falling 1.21 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropping 1.2 percent, and China’s Shanghai Composite edging down 0.2 percent. The benchmar April 17, 2026

Hanwha Solutions trims capital raise to 1.8 trillion won after regulator pushback SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Hanwha Solutions announced it will scale back its planned rights offering to 1.8 trillion won ($1.21 billion) from an initial 2.4 trillion won, retreating from a contentious fundraising plan that drew a rare regulatory rebuke and sharp criticism from shareholders. The revised offering, approved by the company's board on Friday, comes just eight days after the Financial Supervisory Service ordered Hanwha Solutions to refile its securities registration, cit April 17, 2026