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

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

Seoul weighs flexible leverage ratios as ETF turmoil prompts broader reforms SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) — South Korea is preparing legislation that would give regulators the authority to lower leverage ratios on single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) during market turmoil. According to financial authorities on Sunday, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) is drafting amendments to the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, the country's primary law governing capital markets and investment products, to establish a legal ba August 3, 2026

KOSDAQ robot stocks rise on U.S. curbs targeting Chinese rivals SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) — Robot stocks on South Korea's junior KOSDAQ market extended their gains Monday after the United States tightened restrictions on Chinese-made robots, while Samsung Electronics' expanded push into robotics reinforced expectations for long-term industry growth. TXR Robotics, which develops warehouse automation and logistics robots, jumped 29.93 percent to 17,450 won ($12.60), hitting the daily trading limit. SPG, a maker of precision motors and g August 3, 2026

US, Japan vow to continue joint yen-supporting intervention SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) -The United States and Japan vowed Monday to continue supporting the yen after admitting to a rare joint intervention last week to stabilize the currency of the world's largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries, which also resulted in lifting both the South Korean won and U.S. government bonds. The admission explained last week's abrupt reversal in the yen, which in turn helped lift the South Korean won as investors unwound long-dollar positions acro August 3, 2026

Brokerage sees long-term buying opportunity in KOSDAQ's Ecopro BM SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) — Shares of South Korean battery materials maker Ecopro BM fell more than 11 percent on Monday after Hana Securities slashed its target price by 40 percent, but the brokerage argued the selloff has already priced in most near-term risks, leaving room for a recovery as long-term battery demand strengthens. The brokerage cut its target price to 154,000 won ($111) from 257,000 won, saying demand is expected to remain weak as major European customers delay n August 3, 2026

Seoul unwinds record rebound as foreigners flip to selling SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - Korean stocks gave back a large piece of Friday's record rebound at Monday's open, as foreign investors flipped from historic buying back to selling in the same chip shares that had driven the surge. The main index in Seoul shed 322.7 points to 6,272.8, a drop of 4.9 percent. Samsung Electronics fell 7.8 percent and SK hynix 7.5 percent, pulling the large-cap KOSPI 200 down 5.3 percent while the KOSDAQ lost only 0.35 percent to 718.18. Tokyo August 3, 2026

Record foreign buying sends Seoul's chip titans to daily limit SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) — South Korea's stock market staged one of the most dramatic reversals in its history Friday as record foreign buying and twin near-30 percent surges in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix erased days of panic selling, signaling that global investors remain convinced the artificial-intelligence investment boom is far from over. Foreign investors snapped up a record 7.18 trillion won ($5.2 billion) worth of KOSPI shares, fueling the benchmark index's July 31, 2026

Chip stock swings push Korea's FX turnover to record on hedging demand SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - The same forces driving wild swings in South Korea's semiconductor stocks are now reshaping the country's foreign-exchange market. As AI-fueled volatility draws record foreign participation in Seoul's equity market, demand for currency hedging has pushed daily foreign-exchange turnover to an all-time high, a trend highlighted Friday when unprecedented overseas buying of Korean shares generated heavy FX trading but only a muted immediate rally in t July 31, 2026

Foreign ownership in Korean shares rises despite record selloff SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) -Foreign investors sold nearly 50 trillion won ($31.2 billion) worth of South Korean equities in June, yet their ownership of the market climbed to 36.4 percent — the highest in months — suggesting the six-month selling streak has been more a portfolio reshuffle than a broad retreat as soaring share prices boosted the value of remaining holdings. Foreign investors recorded a net withdrawal of 44.86 trillion won from South Korea's listed securit July 31, 2026