Stocks on unfettered rally, bonds dip as Seoul markets bet on inflation-driven rate hike SEOUL, May 6 (AJP) — The rationale for higher interest rates gained ground in South Korea as inflation, long subdued by lethargic demand, accelerated at the fastest pace in 21 months in April after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz triggered a surge in imported prices, while the benchmark stock index nearly tripled from a year earlier to touch a new four-digit milestone. According to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics (MDAS) on Wednesday, consumer pric May 6, 2026

KOSPI rockets above 7,300 in record-breaking chip rally *Updated with performance of other Asian markets. SEOUL, May 06 (AJP) - What once seemed improbable has rapidly become reality as South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI vaulted above the 7,300 mark on Wednesday, just three weeks after reclaiming the 6,000 level as feverish foreign buying turbocharged semiconductor and AI infrastructure stocks despite lingering uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz crisis. As of 10:09 a.m., the KOSPI stood at 7,325.31, up 5.60 percent from M May 6, 2026

Coupang hit by biggest loss since 2021 as breach fallout dents growth SEOUL, May 06 (AJP) -Coupang, grappling with eroding confidence among South Korean regulators and consumers following a major data breach late last year, saw its largest quarterly loss in more than four years as revenue growth sharply slowed in the first quarter. The New York-listed company on Tuesday reported an operating loss of $242 million for the January-March period, reversing from a $154 million profit a year earlier and the red nearly wiping out half of its an May 6, 2026

KOSPI hits record high, approaching the 7,000 mark SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - Korea’s benchmark KOSPI led gains across Asia on Monday, surging more than five percent to a fresh high as markets in China and Japan remained closed for holidays, while Hong Kong posted comparatively modest gains. The KOSPI closed 5.12 percent higher at a record 6,936.99, after moving between an intraday low of 6,741.63 and a high of 6,937.00. The rally was driven by strong foreign and institutional buying, with foreign investors purchasing 3.00 t May 4, 2026

South Korea online shopping hits record as travel demand defies fuel surcharges SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - South Korea's online shopping transactions hit an all-time monthly high in March as travelers booked spring holidays despite soaring fuel costs driven by the Middle East conflict. Data from Statistics Korea showed monthly transactions reached 25.6 trillion won, marking the first time the figure has surpassed 25 trillion won since tracking began in 2017. Total volume grew 13.3 percent compared to the same period last year. Travel and transport services May 4, 2026

BOK deputy governor flags rate hike possibility, bond yields tick up SEOUL, May 4 (AJP) — Bank of Korea Deputy Governor Ryoo Sang-dai on Sunday signaled that South Korea’s monetary policy may be shifting toward tightening rather than easing, becoming the first monetary board member to publicly lean toward a rate hike amid mounting inflationary pressure tied to Middle East tensions. “Given the external shock and broader economic conditions, my personal view is that monetary policy is moving closer to a hiking cycle than a r May 4, 2026

KOSPI tops 6,800 on AI-driven chip rally amid easing Hormuz tensions SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI jumped more than 3 percent at the open on Monday to test a new plateau above 6,800 on strong institutional buying in chip and other large-cap stocks. Market sentiment was also influenced by geopolitical developments after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would begin safely escorting ships from “neutral and innocent” countries through the Strait of Hormuz under a new initiative referred to as &l May 4, 2026

Asian stocks fall across the board as oil prices surge SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI fell 1.38 percent to close at 6,598.87 on Thursday as rising oil prices dragged Asian markets lower. Brent crude futures jumped more than 5 percent in Asian trading, pushing regional stocks down over 1 percent. The junior KOSDAQ also dropped, closing at 1,192.35, down 2.29 percent. The main index rose to as high as 6,750.27 during the intraday session, setting a new intraday record. However, it later fluctuated and decline April 30, 2026

At War 60 Days: Decoupling deepens in Korean markets as stocks rally alone SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) — Decoupling across South Korean asset markets has intensified over the past two months of war in the Middle East, with equities extending a solo rally while the currency and bond markets remain under pressure. With few safe havens in a wartime environment, equities have emerged as the primary risk asset. In contrast, the won and government bonds — more exposed to macroeconomic stress — have been weighed down by disruptions to the Strait o April 30, 2026

KOSPI tests 6,700 milestone amid heavy tug-of-war SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - South Korea's main index is set to end weekly session at fresh historic high, breaking above the 6,700 mark for the first time as foreign buying fended off local profit-taking. The KOSPI rose 0.4 percent to 6,713.16 as of 11:20 a.m. Thursday, testing above 6,700 mark for the first time. Foreign investors bought 332.7 billion won($224 million), while institutions and retail investors sold 214.9 billion won and 90.4 billion won, respectively. The marke April 30, 2026