Seoul markets mostly unfazed by renewed Trumpian tariff threat SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) –Stocks were undisturbed in their growth momentum while the Korean won gave up earlier gains against the U.S. dollar as the Korean financial markets weighed the gravity of the overnight social-media threat by President Donald Trump to reinstate 25-percent tariffs on selected South Korean exports including automobiles. As of 10:23 a.m. Seoul, KOSPI rose 0.76ercent to 4.987.03 smaller KOSDAQ up 0.93 percent at 1,074.64. The won was mildly affected, wi January 27, 2026

KOSDAQ steals the day in subdued Asian markets SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - Korea’s secondary KOSDAQ stole the spotlight Monday, surging more than 7 percent as most Asian equities retreated, in a striking display of risk appetite concentrated in higher-beta names. The tech-heavy index jumped 7.09 percent — its biggest daily gain in more than two years — to close at 1,064.4 and return to 1,000-mark in four years. The sharp advance triggered a temporary trading halt under the sidecar mechanism at 9:59 a.m., a January 26, 2026

Resident FX deposits in Korea jumped nearly $16 bln in December SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) -Foreign-currency deposits at South Korea-based banks surged by nearly $16 billion in December on prolonged weakness in the Korean won, central bank data showed. The Bank of Korea said Monday that resident foreign-currency deposits at local foreign-exchange banks totaled $119.43 billion at the end of December, up $15.88 billion from the previous month. It marked the second consecutive monthly increase. Resident foreign-currency deposits include ho January 26, 2026

KOSDAQ breaks above 1,000 as Asia trades mixed; Nikkei retreats on political uncertainty SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) – Asian equities opened the week mostly lower, with Japanese stocks retreating on rising bond yields and political uncertainty. South Korea’s secondary KOSDAQ bucked the sentiment, surging past the 1,000 mark for the first time in four years on policy optimism. The benchmark KOSPI opened higher but later pared gains. As of 10:37 a.m. local time Monday, the index was down 0.48 percent at 4,966.31. The KOSDAQ jumped 5.48 percent to 1,048.35, tr January 26, 2026

Foreign investors' holdings of South Korean stocks hit highest level in nearly six years SEOUL, January 25 (AJP) - Foreign investors' share of stocks on South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI climbed to its highest level in five years and nine months in January, according to figures released by the Korea Exchange on Sunday. The total market capitalization of KOSPI‑listed companies stood at 3,759.72 trillion Korean won (roughly US$2.55 trillion) as of early this month, with foreign holdings valued at 1,398.03 trillion won, accounting for about 37.18 percent, the highe January 25, 2026

Asian markets end week upbeat as KOSPI, KOSDAQ hover near milestones SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - Asian equities finished the week on a firm footing Friday, with South Korea’s main stock indexes hovering near key psychological thresholds amid brisk sector rotation and steady foreign inflows. The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.7 percent to close at 4,990.10, after briefly breaking above the 5,000 mark earlier in the session. Gains were capped by profit-taking near the milestone, though demand for large-cap shares remained intact. The KOSPI 200 also advan January 23, 2026

FX looms as Korea's top financial risk: BOK survey SEOUL, Jan 23 (AJP) - The Korean won has stabilized and edged higher against the U.S. dollar following explicit verbal intervention by authorities, but foreign exchange volatility remains the biggest financial risk facing South Korea, according to a new Bank of Korea (BOK) survey. Nearly seven in 10 financial experts flagged the exchange rate as a key source of risk, underscoring persistent unease despite recent market calm. According to the BOK survey of 75 professionals fro January 23, 2026

Asia stocks edge higher; KOSPI back above 5,000 SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) – Asian equities opened higher on Friday, with South Korean stocks leading gains as easing global trade tensions lifted investor sentiment. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI climbed back above the 5,000 mark in early trading. As of 9:48 a.m. local time, the index was up 1.17 percent at 5,010.28. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ rose 0.82 percent to 978.26. Institutional investors were net buyers of 191.0 billion won ($94 million), while individual investors January 23, 2026

Blunt FX language fuels speculation, but steadies the won — for now SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Alongside South Korea’s blistering equity rally, the foreign-exchange market has emerged as the economy’s most sensitive fault line, dominating monetary policy briefings and even the president’s New Year’s press conference. From U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remark that the won’s level is “not in line with Korea’s strong economic fundamentals,” to Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong’ January 22, 2026

Stocks at record highs, growth at 1%: Korea's market–economy divide widens SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) -Korean stock market pushed deeper into uncharted territory Thursday, with the KOSPI briefly climbing over the 5,000 mark before closing just below the milestone, a historic high unfolding even as economic growth remains stuck near 1 percent, highlighting a widening gap between buoyant asset prices and a fragile real economy. The growth outlook marks the weakest performance since the economy contracted 0.7 percent in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 p January 22, 2026