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  KDI warns of downside risks to economy as Gulf crisis clouds recovery SEOUL, April 7 (AJP) - South Korea's governmental Korea Development Institute think tank warned on Tuesday that the nascent economic recovery is facing increased downside risks as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts global supply chains and triggers a spike in energy prices. In the April edition of its "KDI Monthly Economic Trends," the institute said that while domestic demand and exports had been showing signs of gradual improvement, the "volatility stemmin April 7, 2026
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  BOK, BdF address central bank role in tokenized environment SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) -South Korea and France’s central banks discussed stablecoins and the evolving role of banks in a tokenized financial system during a joint session in Seoul, the Bank of Korea said Tuesday. The Bank of Korea (BOK) and the Banque de France (BdF) are holding a two-day meeting from Tuesday through Wednesday as part of a regular academic exchange launched in 2024 to address shifts in the global economic landscape. This year’s session coincided wit April 7, 2026
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  Samsung earnings surprise boosts KOSPI as markets remain cautious over Trump's ultimatum to Iran SEOUL, April 7 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI got off to a good start on Tuesday as a strong earnings surprise from Samsung Electronics supported sentiment, although gains were limited as Asian and other markets braced for U.S. President Donald Trump's final ultimatum to Iran. The KOSPI pared earlier gains, rising 0.64 percent to 5,485.43. Gains were supported by Samsung Electronics rising 1.81 percent to 196,600 won after posting record-breaking quarterly earnings. T April 7, 2026
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  BOK to stay on hold this week, but faces looming inflation test SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) — There is little doubt the Bank of Korea will hold its base rate at 2.5 percent at Thursday’s rate-setting meeting, but how long the pause lasts will be closely watched as Gulf-driven import inflation builds the case for at least one hike down the line. The post-meeting narrative is also unlikely to surprise, as this will be the last meeting under Governor Rhee Chang-yong before his four-year term ends on April 20. Markets are instead looki April 6, 2026
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  Korean and Japanese stocks higher on tech optimism SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) - Asian equities rose modestly Monday as investors weighed conflicting signals from the Middle East, with U.S. President Donald Trump setting an April 7 deadline ahead of potential strikes on Iranian power grids while OPEC+ pledged a limited output increase, as tech-heavy Korea and Japan outperformed ahead of strong semiconductor earnings. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.15 percent to 53,733.44, while Korea’s KOSPI advanced 1.4 percent to 5,452.80. April 6, 2026
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  Korean stocks rebound as Hormuz risks recede, foreign inflows return SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - Asian markets swung mostly higher Friday as governments from the Middle East to Europe scramble to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The benchmark KOSPI led gains, closing up 2.7 percent at 5,377.3, as foreign and institutional investors returned to net buying. The won strengthened to 1,507.9 per dollar. The move followed reports that Iran is working with Oman on a maritime protocol to manage transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that handles roughly April 3, 2026
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  Korea's credit market shows crunch signs as demand dries up SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) — Spring has arrived, but South Korea’s debt market remains stuck in a winter chill, especially for sub-investment-grade issuers, as surging bond yields, weak demand and a cheapened won erode the appeal of Korean assets. Government bond yields have climbed back to levels last seen in November 2023, when the benchmark rate stood at 3.50 percent during the post-pandemic tightening cycle — even as the current policy rate has been held at 2.50 pe April 3, 2026
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  Asian stocks rebound as Hormuz passage hopes ease war fears SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) — Asian markets continued to seesaw with each development in the Iran war, but moved higher in early Friday trading on rising hopes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.08 percent to 53,029.41, while China’s Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.21 percent to 3,927.59. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was closed from Friday through April 6 for the Easter holiday. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rebounded at the April 3, 2026
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  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
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  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