FSS holds brokerage financially liable for wrap account losses SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) -South Korea's financial regulator has for the first time ruled that a brokerage must compensate investors for losses caused by improper discretionary asset management, setting a precedent that securities firms can be held financially liable for mishandling client assets. The Financial Supervisory Service's Dispute Mediation Committee said Tuesday it ordered investors to be reimbursed for 60 percent to 70 percent of losses stemming from the management of June 30, 2026

Korea sees sharpest rise in zombie firms among major economies SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) -Despite the benchmark KOSPI's spectacular run, South Korea saw the largest increase in the share of zombie companies among major economies between 2017 and 2025, with more than one in four listed firms unable to cover interest expenses with their earnings for three consecutive years, the country's largest business lobby said Tuesday. The Federation of Korean Industries said marginal companies accounted for 27.6 percent of Korea's listed firms in 20 June 30, 2026

Overdue loans hit record as small business owners struggle to repay debts SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - Small business owners are falling deeper into debt, with loans and overdue payments both hitting record highs in the first quarter amid a prolonged economic downturn. According to data submitted by the Bank of Korea to lawmaker Park Sung-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday, outstanding loans of the self-employed reached 1,095.5 trillion won (US$803 billion) as of the end of March, the highest level since relevant records began in 20 June 30, 2026

Pension overhang drags KOSPI, Tokyo rallies SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - Korean stocks opened lower Tuesday as investors positioned for the National Pension Service to resume domestic equity sales from July, a supply overhang that dragged the KOSPI down even as Tokyo rallied and the local tech-heavy KOSDAQ climbed. The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.2 percent, shedding 20.19 points to 8,374.46, while the KOSDAQ rose 0.9 percent to 929.33. Foreigners drove the move, selling a net 808.7 billion won (522.0 million dollars) on the main boar June 30, 2026

KOSPI's volatility deepens on fragile foundation SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - South Korea's stock market still looks spectacular despite its recent correction. Underneath, however, the rally is becoming increasingly narrow, speculative and volatile—three characteristics that help explain why the Korean won remains stuck near crisis-era levels despite the soaring benchmark. The latest evidence came Monday as the market's advance-decline ratio (ADR), a widely watched measure of market breadth, remained in oversold territory, June 29, 2026

Battery frenzy lifts KOSDAQ while chip stocks drag KOSPI down SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) - A battery-led frenzy on South Korea's junior KOSDAQ masked a flat, chip-heavy KOSPI on the main bourse on Monday, splitting the country's stock market into two sessions running in opposite directions. The secondary-battery rally drove the KOSDAQ up 8.1 percent to 920.57, while the KOSPI slipped 0.2 percent to 8,394.65 as key chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix fell. Foreign investors turned net buyers on the main board, while institutional a June 29, 2026

KOSDAQ nearly 7% higher ahead of major infrastructure spending SEOUL, June 29 (AJP) -South Korea's junior KOSDAQ index stole the limelight amid broad retreat in Asia, gaining more than 6 percent Monday morning on expectations of the government's unveiling of mega industrial projects led by Samsung Electronics and SK Group expected to announce private-sector investments that could exceed 1 quadrillion won over the next decade. President Lee Jae Myung is set to chair a national briefing later in the day outlining the projects, which c June 29, 2026

Stocks become family business in Korea SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - From cradle to grave. That's the extent of the stock craze sweeping South Korea. Active trading accounts have increased by more than 10 million this year, with even toddlers joining the market as parents increasingly open brokerage accounts in their children's names as part of long-term financial planning. Economists say the trend reflects a broader shift in how Korean households save and invest for the next generation, although some warn it could al June 26, 2026

Korea, Asia sink on Apple price shock SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - Korea's KOSPI fell 5.8 percent Thursday as Apple's overnight price hikes on Macs and iPads and a report that OpenAI may delay its IPO until 2027 sent a second wave of selling through Asian technology stocks, with memory chipmakers in Seoul, semiconductor equipment names in Tokyo, and AI-linked equities in Shanghai all closing sharply lower. The KOSPI shed 519.09 points to close at 8,411.21. SK hynix led the decline, falling 8.4 percent, while Samsung E June 26, 2026

This week's second circuit breaker triggered after 8% fall in KOSPI SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) -The second circuit breaker this week halted the KOSPI after the benchmark crashed more than 8 percent Friday, following a similar rout three trading on Tuesday, on heavy foreign and institutional selling over concerns of slowing memory demand amid broad chip-flation. The Korea Exchange suspended trading on the KOSPI market for 20 minutes at 12:10:12 p.m. after the benchmark remained more than 8 percent below the previous session's close for one minute. June 26, 2026