Korea's FX reserves slip $4 bn as won defense cost soars SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) — South Korea’s foreign exchange reserves fell by nearly $4 billion in March, underscoring the growing strain on the country’s external buffers as authorities continue to defend the won against crisis-era pressure. The Bank of Korea said Friday that reserves stood at $423.66 billion at end-March, down $3.97 billion from $427.62 billion a month earlier. That marked the steepest monthly decline since April 2024, when reserves fell by $5.99 bill April 3, 2026

Seoul leads Asian selloff as Trump speech lacks Hormuz roadmap SEOUL, April 02 (AJP) -Asian stocks sank Thursday, with Seoul bearing the brunt after U.S. President Donald Trump’s primetime address on the Iran war failed to offer clarity on the endgame or a strategy to restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil trade. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.38 percent to 52,463.27, reversing earlier gains as selling accelerated in the afternoon. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 0.83 percent to 25,085. April 2, 2026

Korea leads broad Asian fall on disappointment at Trump address SEOUL, April 02 (AJP) - Asian stocks fell Thursday, led by energy-dependent South Korea, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s much-hyped address failed to deliver clarity on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, leaving markets with more uncertainty than relief. Trump, speaking in a nationally televised address at 10 a.m. Korea time, said the conflict could continue for “two to three more weeks,” while offering no clear commitment to restoring access to the key shipping ro April 2, 2026

Asian markets rally on ceasefire hopes, Seoul stocks surge over 8% SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - Asian markets rose as ceasefire hopes strengthened after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a potential de-escalation within weeks, while Iran indicated willingness to end the conflict provided attacks do not resume. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 5.24 percent to trade at 53,739.68, marking its biggest gain of the year and the fourth-largest on record, as overseas investors bought on easing Middle East tensions. Semiconductor stocks led the rally, wit April 1, 2026

Stock, FX, and debt in triple win in Seoul, but lasting strength hinges on Gulf SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) — South Korea's war-beleaguered capital markets roared back with all three assets — stocks, the won and bond prices — strengthening sharply Wednesday, helped by talk of a Gulf war endgame and a rush of foreign capital into the debt market on the first day of Korea’s inclusion in the World Government Bond Index. But since much of the rally hinges on Gulf developments, the sustainability of the gains remains in question. The doll April 1, 2026

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

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

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

Asian stocks slump on war fears, chip rout hits KOSPI SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - Asian stocks overall traded lower on Tuesday, with South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI extending losses for a fourth straight session amid uncertainty surrounding the Iran crisis and weakness in global semiconductor shares. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.58 percent to 51,063.72, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index edged down 0.16 percent to 24,712.24, China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.80 percent to 3,891.86, and Taiwan’s TAIEX Index fell 2.45 March 31, 2026

Korea burned $22.5 bln defending won Q4, USD-KRW nears 1,530 SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) -South Korea spent a staggering $22.5 billion in the final quarter of 2025 to stabilize the won, as the currency hovered near crisis-era lows amid intensifying capital outflows and dollar demand, central bank data showed. Net dollar sales for “market stability” surged to $22.47 billion in the fourth quarter, the Bank of Korea said in its disclosure of its intervention balance sheet — a sharp escalation from $1.75 billion in the third quarter, March 31, 2026