Asia advances on easing Middle East tensions and oil price drop SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) — Asian markets found modest relief Tuesday on signals of a potential truce after U.S. President Donald Trump suspended his ultimatum over attacks on Iran’s power infrastructure, though gains were pared amid mixed signals from Tehran and Gulf states. Japanese stocks rose at the open on expectations of early de-escalation in the Middle East, with the Nikkei 225 rebounding after plunging more than 5 percent in the previous session on fears of prolon March 24, 2026

LG Electronics sells over 3 million washers globally SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - The cumulative sales of LG Electronics' high-end washing machines have exceeded 3 million units, the home appliance giant said on Wednesday. Since its launch in the U.S. in September 2020, the Tromm WashTower, a washing machine that combines a washer and dryer in a single stacked unit, has been sold in about 77 countries, with some 1.2 million units sold in South Korea as of February. Buoyed by its energy efficiency and convenience, demand is risin March 24, 2026

KOSPI jumps as Iran strike fears ease, oil prices tumble SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) — South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI opened sharply higher on Tuesday upon expectation of a potential truce. Seoul’s main index rose 4.39 percent to 5,643.00 at the open, while the KOSDAQ gained 3.47 percent to 1,135.00. Gains later pared to around 2 percent as conflicting remarks from Washington and Tehran over a possible truce tempered early optimism. U.S. President Donald Trump delayed a potential strike on Iran by five days and signaled op March 24, 2026

KOSPI suffers one of biggest routs as Trump ultimatum rattles Asian markets SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - The Seoul bourse suffered one of its steepest selloffs Monday as a sharp risk-off wave swept across Asia after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, prompting heavy foreign outflows and broad-based selling. The rout came as escalating tensions in the Middle East stoked fears of disruptions to global energy supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20 percent of the world’s seaborne oil. The U March 23, 2026

Vietnam emerges as new frontier for Korean movies SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - With The King’s Warden the latest South Korean movie set for release in Vietnam, the Southeast Asian country is emerging as a strategic growth market for Korean cinema. The film, which drew over 14 million viewers at home, is set in Yeongwol county in Korea’s Gangwon province, and depicts the relationship between a young dethroned king and a village chief. It is set to open on April 10 across more than 200 screens, including CGV, Lotte Cinem March 23, 2026

Frenzied retail stock buying triggers Seoul warning on forced liquidation SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - Leveraged stock buying by retail investors remained feverish on Monday despite 6-percent rout on escalating Gulf war fears, prompting the financial regulator to warn on forced liquidations. The Financial Supervisory Service issued a set of guidelines on Monday aimed at preventing disputes in margin trading, saying recent sharp swings in the domestic stock market had heightened the risk of forced sell-offs for investors using credit financing. “When March 23, 2026

Korean pet food firms push into Vietnam's booming market SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) — South Korean pet food companies are increasingly targeting Vietnam as a key growth market, capitalizing on the Southeast Asian country’s rapidly expanding pet economy and rising demand for premium pet care. Vietnam has quickly emerged as a strategic destination for Korean exporters. Korean-made pet food already accounts for an estimated 30-40 percent of purchases in some segments, underscoring strong brand recognition and consumer trust. Sou March 23, 2026

FX deposits fall for second month on overseas investment, import payments SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - Resident foreign currency deposits in South Korea declined for a second straight month in February, as corporate demand for overseas investments and import settlements weighed on balances. According to data released Monday by the Bank of Korea (BOK), outstanding resident foreign currency deposits at foreign exchange banks stood at $117.53 billion at end-February, down $490 million from a month earlier. The decline follows a sharper $1.4 billion drop in Janu March 23, 2026

Asia markets slide as foreign flows unwind amid U.S. ultimatum on Iran SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) — A sharp pullback in foreign positioning rippled across Asian markets Monday after Washington issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, prompting investors to cut exposure to risk-sensitive assets. Chip-heavy markets led regional losses. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped below the 51,000 mark for the first time since Jan. 5, according to Kyodo News, dragged down by semiconductor stocks. Advantest plunged 6.76 percent, while Tok March 23, 2026

KOSPI sinks more than 6%, Korean won hits fresh 17-year low SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI tumbled at the open on Monday, triggering a sell-side sidecar as investor sentiment soured sharply on energy crisis after an U.S. ultimatum on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. As of 9:54 a.m., Seoul's main index sank 6 percent 5,430.24, and the KOSDAQ nearly 5 percent to 1,105.33. Losers overwhelmed gainers by 859 to 57. The dollar hit 1,510.40, the first time above 1,510 since March of 2009 amid the global fi March 23, 2026