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KB Insurance Implements Fair Trade Compliance Program to Strengthen Internal Controls KB Insurance announced on August 16 that it is implementing a Fair Trade Compliance Program (CP) to enhance its internal control system. The company held a launch ceremony for the CP on August 13 at its headquarters in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. The CP is an internal compliance system that provides employees with guidelines on fair trade practices and aims to prevent violations of related laws. KB Insurance plans to apply the CP across all business areas, including product development and sales, subcontracting and outsourcing management, and inter-company transactions. This initiative aims to proactively manage risks related to fair trade by integrating it with the existing internal control system. The company will also enhance its fair trade risk assessment framework. It will verify the fairness of insurance terms and advertising in advance and will conduct ongoing checks in high-risk areas, such as managing agency commissions and compliance with subcontracting laws for IT and claims adjustment outsourcing. The CEO has granted the compliance manager, reporting directly to him, independent authority for investigations and corrections. A commitment to practice the CP has also been made by all employees. A KB Insurance representative stated, “By combining our existing internal control capabilities with the Fair Trade Compliance Program, we aim to enhance risk management effectiveness and establish a culture of fair competition.”* This article has been translated by AI. August 16, 2026 09: -
Bukwang Pharmaceutical's Subsidiary Requests Closure of Rehabilitation Process Korea Union Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Bukwang Pharmaceutical, has completed most of its rehabilitation claims and has applied to the court for the closure of its rehabilitation process.Bukwang Pharmaceutical announced on August 16 that Korea Union Pharmaceutical has requested the Seoul Rehabilitation Court to approve the closure of its rehabilitation process.Korea Union Pharmaceutical began its rehabilitation process in September of last year and, after undergoing restructuring and financial improvement efforts, received approval for its rehabilitation plan in May of this year.On May 27, Bukwang Pharmaceutical became the largest shareholder of Korea Union Pharmaceutical by fully paying 30 billion won for new shares. Following this, it proceeded with changes in rights and the repayment of rehabilitation secured claims as per the approved rehabilitation plan.The rehabilitation secured claims were mostly settled in cash. The rehabilitation claims were divided into equity conversion (67.65%) and cash repayment (32.35%), with most interest waived since the initiation of the process, and the rights to existing convertible bonds (CB) and bonds with warrants (BW) expired as of the approval date.This year, Korea Union Pharmaceutical has completed repayment of most of its debts, totaling 29.21 billion won, excluding 76 million won in some unconfirmed claims. Consequently, it has applied to the Seoul Rehabilitation Court for the closure of its rehabilitation process under the Debtor Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy Act.A representative from Bukwang Pharmaceutical stated, By investing 30 billion won in new shares, we have resolved the financial uncertainties of Korea Union Pharmaceutical and diligently executed the debt repayments as per the rehabilitation plan. They added, Following the closure of the rehabilitation process, Korea Union Pharmaceuticals debt ratio has improved to the 40% range.The representative further noted, All past unpaid trade receivables, borrowings, and bonds with warrants have been settled, and currently, only normal claims such as trade payables and return provisions remain, effectively bringing the debt ratio to about 15%. We plan to promptly disclose the courts closure decision and accelerate management normalization and business synergy between the two companies.Meanwhile, through the acquisition of Korea Union Pharmaceutical, Bukwang Pharmaceutical is expected to enhance its production competitiveness by securing a production line for injectable drugs and antibiotic products. The Korea Union Pharmaceutical factory, which received Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification in 2020, is a state-of-the-art facility, and the company anticipates a roughly 30% increase in its pharmaceutical production capacity following the acquisition.* This article has been translated by AI. August 16, 2026 09:
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U.S. Steps Up Efforts to Prevent Illegal Transshipments of Chinese Goods The U.S. government is intensifying efforts to block illegal transshipments of Chinese products, prompting heightened vigilance within the domestic automotive industry. Concerns are growing that the increasing use of Chinese components could complicate supply chain management.According to reports from foreign media on August 16, the U.S. White Houses Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy released a report on August 14, highlighting that Chinese products are being illegally transshipped to the U.S. through over 40 countries.The report classified South Korea, along with Japan, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, as Tier 1 countries at high risk for transshipment of China-linked goods.The U.S. plans to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technology to more accurately detect instances where these countries process Chinese products or alter their origin before exporting them to the U.S.This crackdown is driven by significant tariff revenue losses. The White House estimates that the scale of illegal transshipment of Chinese products ranges from approximately $34.2 billion to as much as $303 billion annually.According to the Associated Press, the increased enforcement against transshipments is linked to the Chinese governments export support policies, which are destabilizing the automotive, metal, and electronics industries in the U.S. and Europe.The domestic automotive industry is closely monitoring the U.S. governments actions, especially as mid-sized automakers are rapidly increasing their use of Chinese platforms and components.Last year, Renault Koreas purchases of vehicles, parts, and technology from Chinas Geely Group totaled 952.7 billion won, an 82% increase from the previous year. Of this amount, 901.9 billion won was spent on vehicle and parts purchases. KGM has also reportedly paid $84 million (approximately 120 billion won) to Chinas Chery Group this year.Given the nature of the automotive industry, the burden of enhanced origin verification is expected to be significant. It is estimated that internal combustion vehicles contain about 30,000 parts, while electric vehicles have over 10,000 parts. As the scope of U.S. verification becomes more detailed, the number of components companies must manage will inevitably increase.However, analysts caution that it is too early to predict the impact on the domestic automotive industry, as specific application standards and enforcement scopes have yet to be established.Kim Pil-soo, a professor at Daelim University’s Department of Future Automotive Engineering, stated, Since a significant number of parts in vehicles are produced in other countries, we need to observe how specific standards are developed.* This article has been translated by AI. August 16, 2026 06:
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President Yoon Proposes New Vision for Peace and Opportunity on Liberation Day President Yoon Calls for New Liberation Focused on Hope, Opportunity, Balance, and PeacePresident Yoon Suk-yeol on August 15 proposed a journey to end the war and transform the Korean Peninsulas unstable armistice into a peace regime. He urged the initiation of discussions among the parties involved to conclude the long-standing conflict.In his speech at the 81st Liberation Day ceremony, President Yoon outlined three key principles for his policy on the Korean Peninsula: inclusive peaceful coexistence, stable peaceful coexistence, and responsible peaceful coexistence. He stated, Today, one year later, I want to present a blueprint to move beyond principles to practice, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and an end to unnecessary confrontations between the North and South.He called for a reduction of hostility in perceptions, norms, and institutions, expressing hope that both sides would sit down together for peaceful coexistence and joint growth. He stressed that this is not about concessions but the beginning of coexistence.President Yoon also promised to establish institutional safeguards to control military tensions and prevent accidental clashes. He stated, We need to create systems to manage tensions and conflicts, and take proactive and continuous peace measures while comprehensively reviewing the security situation around the Korean Peninsula.He expressed his intention to encourage North Koreas response to create a stable Korean Peninsula, hoping that their steps would lower military tensions in border areas and serve as a foundation for building trust and stability.President Yoon remarked, Peace on the Korean Peninsula will promote stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia and serve as a milestone toward a world without nuclear weapons, suggesting that discussions should begin among the parties to end the long-standing war and to find effective ways to halt North Koreas nuclear capabilities.In terms of South Korea-Japan relations, he expressed a desire to expand practical cooperation based on a sincere acknowledgment of historical issues. He noted that over the past year, the two countries have built a foundation of trust through shuttle diplomacy and have broadened cooperation in supply chains, energy, and advanced industries. He also mentioned the expansion of exchanges between future generations.President Yoon introduced a new national vision of an irreplaceable South Korea and a new liberation. He stated, We need a new liberation that will elevate South Korea to the next level, a country that the world needs, a nation that all countries want to cooperate with, and an irreplaceable South Korea that no other country can substitute.To achieve this, he announced plans to completely reallocate national resources and capabilities and to redraw the growth map. He aims to expand growth hubs concentrated in the metropolitan area across the entire country and to enhance growth potential through active investment in future industries.He emphasized, When the results of innovation and opportunities for future growth are evenly distributed, a bold vision will illuminate every corner of the peoples lives and foster courage for new challenges.Kim Min-seok Achieves Majority Vote in Honam, Expanding Lead Over Jeong Cheong-raeKim Min-seok, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party, continued his winning streak by securing a majority of votes in Honam, a region expected to influence the party conventions outcome, significantly widening the gap with rival Jeong Cheong-rae. Before the Honam primary, the difference between the two candidates was only 1.48 percentage points.On August 15, So Byeong-hoon, head of the Central Partys Election Management Committee, announced the results at the Wonkwang University gymnasium. Kim received a total of 139,307 votes in Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do, surpassing Jeongs 79,033 votes. Song Young-gil received 23,749 votes.Regionally, in Gwangju, Kim garnered 57.04% (86,558 votes), while Jeong received 31.84% (48,324 votes), and Song received 11.12% (16,874 votes). In Jeollabuk-do, Kim achieved 58.39% (52,749 votes), Jeong 34.00% (30,709 votes), and Song 7.61% (6,875 votes).Before the vote counting, the candidates emphasized their connections to Honam and appealed for support by referencing the late former President Kim Dae-jung, a symbol of Honam politics. Kim stated, I worked as the secretary to the party leader during President Kims administration 20 years ago. The Honam AI Mega Project is my dream and a historic gamble for President Yoon, and I will ensure its success. He added, With President Yoons firm commitment to the development of Jeollabuk-do, I will independently create a mega plan for Jeollabuk-do and become Mr. Saemangeum.Jeong introduced himself as the son-in-law of Honam, with my mother born in Jeollabuk-do, and highlighted the advancements made possible by the internet established by Kim Dae-jung, stating, Thanks to the internet, we became an internet powerhouse, and with a cultural policy of support without interference, we became a cultural powerhouse with BTS. The convergence of President Kims internet and President Yoons AI presents a golden opportunity for the rise of South Korea. He asserted, Once betrayed, one will betray again. I am confident that I, Jeong Cheong-rae, will be the one to remain loyal to President Yoon until the end.Song appealed, Please hold the hand of a son of Honam, and I will become the new center of Honam politics following President Kim. He emphasized his experience as the first young recruit brought in by President Kim, serving as a secretary to the late President Roh Moo-hyun, the head of the overall election campaign for former President Moon Jae-in, and the head of the overall election campaign for President Yoon. He declared, With the end of judicial reform, Jeong is no longer needed; I will now lead judicial reform.The Democratic Party will conduct a primary in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province on August 16, followed by a party convention in Daejeon on August 17 to establish a new leadership. The final election results for the party leader will reflect 70% of votes from party members and 30% from public opinion polls.People Power Party Demands Explanation for Dismissal of Trade ChiefThe People Power Party criticized President Yoon Suk-yeols dismissal of Yeo Han-goo, the head of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energys Trade Negotiation Headquarters, as irrational governance.In a statement on August 15, party spokesperson Jo Yong-sool questioned, Is it acceptable to leave a key position responsible for negotiating with foreign countries vacant without even providing a specific reason?Jo pointed out that the Yoon administration had promised a $350 billion investment in the U.S. without public consensus last year and is now facing pressure from the U.S. to expedite that commitment. He criticized the administration for abruptly dismissing the person responsible for those negotiations without any explanation.He added, The government remains silent, citing the judgment of the appointing authority without revealing specific reasons for the dismissal. What secret are they trying to hide? The Yoon administration must clearly explain to the public why they replaced the trade chief in the midst of U.S. trade negotiations without an alternative plan.Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, also commented on Facebook, While reports indicate that the Trump administration is applying pressure regarding U.S. investments, the government dismissed Yeo Han-goo. Regardless of the reasons for the dismissal, the U.S. is bound to misunderstand this action.Lee urged the immediate appointment of a successor to ensure there is no gap in U.S. negotiations, warning that any disruption in U.S. diplomacy could have a more significant impact on the South Korean economy than the recent turmoil in the stock market.According to the Ministry of Industry, President Yoon dismissed Yeo at midnight on the same day. This unilateral dismissal of a civil servant is an unusual move in political appointments, but specific reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed.Government Expresses Disappointment Over Japanese Officials Yasukuni Shrine VisitsOn August 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the Japanese political figures offerings and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, stating, We cannot contain our disappointment.The Ministry of National Defense summoned Takeshi Nagayoshi, the Japanese defense attaché in South Korea, to express its protest against Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumis visit to the shrine, the first by a sitting defense minister in two years.In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed, The government is deeply disappointed by the actions of responsible Japanese leaders who continue to glorify Japans past invasion wars and visit a shrine that enshrines war criminals, repeating outdated acts that disregard history.The Ministry urged Japanese leaders to confront history and demonstrate genuine reflection and remorse through their actions, emphasizing that this is a crucial foundation for building a future-oriented South Korea-Japan relationship based on trust.Kim Hak-jo, the International Policy Director of the Ministry of National Defense, summoned Nagayoshi to the Ministry of Defense to strongly protest Koizumis visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, expressing deep regret over the action.He stated that the visit contradicts efforts to establish a future-oriented relationship based on trust between South Korea and Japan and conveyed serious concerns regarding the matter.On this day, which marks both Koreas Liberation Day and Japans defeat, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not visit the shrine but offered a monetary donation as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party. However, four current ministers, including Koizumi, visited the shrine, and key officials from the ruling party also participated in an unusual group visit.Prime Minister Han Seung-soo Urges Preparedness for Heavy Rain Forecasts in Southern CoastPrime Minister Han Seung-soo ordered proactive preparedness measures on August 15 in anticipation of heavy rain forecasted for the southern coast.According to the Prime Ministers Office, Han instructed, Given that heavy rainfall is expected during the vulnerable nighttime hours of the holiday period, ensure thorough preemptive checks, controls, and evacuations.He emphasized the need for thorough pre-checks and monitoring of vulnerable areas such as camping sites, underground roads, and low-lying homes, ensuring the safety of visitors and residents.Han also urged the swift dissemination of evacuation notices using available resources such as village broadcasts and sirens, and to pay attention to safety management in coastal and adjacent low-lying areas, considering rising sea levels.He instructed that relevant agencies maintain a state of emergency readiness and share information, while ensuring the safety of personnel responding on-site.The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts rainfall from August 15 to 17, estimating 20 to 60 mm in Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam, and Chungbuk (with some areas in Daejeon and southeastern Chungnam expected to exceed 80 mm), 50 to 100 mm in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do (with eastern Jeollanam-dos southern coast expected to exceed 200 mm), 30 to 80 mm in Jeollabuk-do, and 100 to 200 mm in the western southern coast of Gyeongnam (with some areas exceeding 250 mm).In Busan, Ulsan, and central Gyeongnams southern coast, rainfall is expected to be between 50 to 150 mm (with some areas in Busan and central Gyeongnam exceeding 200 mm), 50 to 100 mm in Daegu and Gyeongbuk (with some areas exceeding 120 mm), and 50 to 100 mm in Jeju (with mountainous areas exceeding 200 mm and mid-mountain areas exceeding 120 mm).Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake in Indonesias Flores Island Leaves at Least 20 DeadA magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near the coast of Flores Island in eastern Indonesia, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and six injuries, according to AFP on August 15 (local time).According to Yonhap News, AFP reported that the earthquake occurred on the northern coast of Flores Island in the East Sunda Islands, resulting in 20 deaths across four villages, as confirmed by local rescue authorities.A representative stated, According to reports, six people were injured, and two remain trapped under the rubble.Authorities plan to focus on locating the trapped victims, but rescue operations are facing difficulties due to landslides blocking many roads.The earthquake struck at 5:58 a.m. local time, followed by 52 aftershocks ranging from magnitudes 3.6 to 6.2. Tremors were felt across most areas of Flores Island, and local rescue teams are conducting operations throughout the island.Indonesia is located on the Ring of Fire, a seismically active region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.* This article has been translated by AI. August 15, 2026 21:
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People Power Party Criticizes President for Dismissal of Trade Chief The People Power Party criticized President Lee Jae-myung for the dismissal of Yeo Han-goo, the Chief Trade Negotiator at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, calling it an irrational operation of the government. In a statement on the 15th, spokesperson Jo Yong-sool questioned, Is it acceptable to leave a key position responsible for negotiating with foreign countries vacant without even disclosing specific reasons? Jo pointed out that the Lee administration had promised a $350 billion investment in the U.S. without public consensus last year and is now facing pressure from the U.S. to expedite its implementation. He noted, Yet, the very person responsible for those negotiations has been dismissed without any explanation. He further stated, The government remains silent, citing the judgment of the appointing authority without revealing specific reasons for the dismissal. What secret are they trying to hide? The Lee administration must clearly explain to the public why they replaced the trade chief in the midst of U.S. trade negotiations without any alternatives. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reformist New Party, also commented on Facebook, stating, There are reports of pressure regarding U.S. investments coming from the Trump administration, and in the midst of this, the government has dismissed Chief Yeo. Regardless of the reasons for the dismissal, this action is bound to be misunderstood by the U.S. He urged the government to promptly appoint a successor to the Chief Trade Negotiator to ensure there is no gap in U.S. negotiations, warning that any disruption in U.S. diplomacy could have a more severe impact on the South Korean economy than the recent turmoil in the stock market. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, President Lee dismissed Yeo at midnight on the same day. This unilateral dismissal of a civil servant is an unusual measure in political appointments, but specific reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed.* This article has been translated by AI. August 15, 2026 16:
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Korean retail investors reload on risk at home, abroad SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) - South Korean retail investors are edging back into risk after July's market washout, with brokerage cash returning above 100 trillion won, margin borrowing rising for a seventh straight session and traders piling back into a triple-leveraged U.S. semiconductor fund. Investor deposits — cash sitting in brokerage accounts and available for securities purchases — rose to 100.07 trillion won ($70.6 billion) on Aug. 13, up 91.9 billion won from the previous session, according to the Korea Financial Investment Association. The balance returned above 100 trillion won after three trading days. The rebound is modest compared with the liquidity that powered Korea's first-half stock frenzy. Investor deposits peaked at a record 139.69 trillion won on June 4, before sliding to 97.93 trillion won on Aug. 11. Even after the latest recovery, the pool remains nearly 40 trillion won, or 28 percent, below that peak. The decline did not necessarily mean investors have abandoned Korean equities. Some cash may already have been deployed into stocks or moved to other investments. Risk appetite itself has returned more quickly. Outstanding margin-financing loans rose to 30.93 trillion won on Aug. 13, marking a seventh consecutive increase. The balance had dropped to around 27.4 trillion won on Aug. 4 during the market's deleveraging, meaning borrowing has recovered by roughly 13 percent from that trough. The same willingness to take leveraged risk is showing up overseas. Korean investors net bought $662.85 million of Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares, better known by its ticker SOXL, on Aug. 12 and 13, according to Korea Securities Depository's SEIBro portal. They bought $544.46 million on Aug. 12 and another $118.39 million the following day, abruptly reversing heavy selling earlier in the month. SOXL seeks to deliver three times the daily performance of the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, making gains — and losses — substantially more volatile than movements in the underlying chip stocks. The latest purchases mark another sharp change of direction for Korea's so-called Seohak ants, a Korean term for individual investors trading foreign equities. Donghak (East-bound) refers to investors dedicated to home stocks. They had sold a net $1.64 billion of SOXL through Aug. 11, including $664.39 million on Aug. 3 alone, after aggressively accumulating the product during the previous month. The two-day buying spree reduced their August net selling in the fund to $976.08 million through Aug. 13. The reversal coincided with a rebound in U.S. semiconductor shares. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbed to 12,456.00 on Aug. 13 from 10,447.49 on July 29 as fears that the semiconductor cycle was approaching a peak eased. SOXL itself rose more than 25 percent to $145.36 on Aug. 13 from $114.72 at the end of July. Korean investors' two-day net purchases of SOXL were about 13 times the $62.09 million they put into Alphabet, the second-biggest net purchase during the period. Their SOXL holdings were valued at $6.56 billion as of Aug. 12, making the leveraged fund their fourth-largest U.S. equity position after Tesla, Nvidia and Alphabet. SOXL had ranked only 10th at the end of April. The buildup follows months of unusually aggressive trading in the product. Korean investors net bought $40.87 million of SOXL in June before purchases exploded to $3.79 billion in July. They began August as heavy sellers before returning to the buy side this week. Their appetite for U.S. stocks more broadly has also held up. Korean investors were net buyers of $1.16 billion in U.S. equities through Aug. 13, extending a net-buying streak that began in June. July purchases were much larger at $4.67 billion. Amazon, SpaceX and Alphabet ranked as the three largest net purchases so far this month. AJP Takeaways Investor deposits recovered above 100 trillion won, but remain about 28 percent below their June record, showing that market liquidity has yet to return to first-half levels. Leverage is rebuilding faster than cash: margin-financing balances rose for a seventh session to 30.93 trillion won, while Korean investors bought $662.85 million of triple-leveraged SOXL in two days. The chip trade remains the center of retail risk-taking: SOXL has become Korean investors' fourth-largest U.S. equity holding despite the violent reversal between July's buying spree and early-August selling. August 15, 2026 14: -
Samsung, hynix literally 'people's stocks' with entries near 1 in 4 Koreans SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) - Minority-shareholder entries at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix nearly doubled from a year earlier to 11.43 million at the end of June, a tally equivalent to about 22 percent of South Korea's population, underscoring how the first-half chip frenzy dramatically broadened ownership of the country's two memory giants. Minority shareholders held nearly seven out of every 10 shares in both chipmakers — 66.24 percent of Samsung Electronics and 67.98 percent of SK hynix. The comparison is illustrative rather than a literal head count. Investors owning both Samsung and SK hynix are counted once by each company. Still, the pace expansion has been extraordinary. The two chipmakers had a combined 5.73 million minority-shareholder entries at the end of June 2025. The number increased by 5.70 million, or 99.5 percent, over the following 12 months. At the end of 2025, Samsung had 4,195,927 minority shareholders, while SK hynix had 1,186,328, putting their combined total at 5.38 million. In just six months, the two companies added about 6.05 million shareholder entries, an increase of 112 percent. Samsung's year-end figure comes from its business report, while SK hynix's filing put its end-2025 minority-shareholder base at 1.19 million. Samsung remained by far the more widely held stock as its price is more accessible. It closed Friday at 274,500 won ($193.77), roughly one-sixth of SK hynix's 1,645,000 won. Its minority-shareholder count reached a record 7,971,242 at the end of June, up 2.92 million from 5,049,085 a year earlier and 3.78 million from the end of 2025. The six-month increase alone was about 90 percent. The two stocks had a spectacular run this year, helped by AI chip boom. After turning higher in the second half of last year, the stock's monthly average price climbed from 65,087 won in July 2025 to 108,724 won in December. The rally accelerated this year, with Samsung moving above 150,000 won in January to peak at 374,500 won on June 19. SK hynix's pull was even greater. Its minority-shareholder base jumped to 3,461,526 at end-June from 681,671 a year earlier — an increase of 2.78 million, or about 408 percent. From the end of 2025 alone, the number nearly tripled. Minority shareholders held 67.98 percent of its issued shares at the end of June. The influx tracked SK hynix's rise to the center of the global artificial-intelligence investment boom. Demand for high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, used alongside AI processors propelled its earnings and valuation to unprecedented levels. On June 22, SK hynix briefly overtook Samsung Electronics as South Korea's most valuable listed company, ending the session with a market capitalization of about 2,080 trillion won. Samsung's minority shareholders held 66.24 percent of its issued shares at end-June, remarkably close to the 67.98 percent held by their counterparts at SK hynix. Minority shareholders collectively owned roughly two-thirds of each of Korea's flagship chipmakers, giving changes in dividends, buybacks, capital expenditure and governance unusually broad consequences for the investing public. Samsung has carried the nickname of a "people's stock" for years. Its minority-shareholder population jumped from 2.15 million at the end of 2020 to more than 5 million in 2021 during the pandemic-era retail-investing boom. The number later retreated as the stock struggled. By the end of 2025, Samsung's minority-shareholder count had fallen to 4.20 million, down from 5.16 million a year earlier, as recovering share prices encouraged some investors to take profits. The first half of 2026 reversed that trend with force. SK hynix followed an even steeper trajectory. Its minority-shareholder base stood at just 681,671 in June last year and 1.19 million at year-end before vaulting above 3.46 million six months later. After both stocks reached record highs in June, the market turned violently in July as leveraged positions unwound and investors reassessed valuations across the global AI trade. By July 30, Samsung had fallen 44.7 percent from its recent peak, while SK hynix had dropped 55.7 percent from its high, although both subsequently recovered part of those losses. The KOSPI ended July down about 22 percent, its worst monthly performance in years, after a rally heavily concentrated in its two semiconductor giants reversed. The first-half chip boom did more than reshape profits, market capitalization and the KOSPI. It expanded direct exposure to the semiconductor cycle across a far wider swath of Korean investors — spreading both the rewards of the AI boom and the risks of its volatility. AJP Takeaways Samsung Electronics and SK hynix recorded 11.43 million minority-shareholder entries at end-June, nearly double the 5.73 million recorded a year earlier and equivalent to about 22 percent of Korea's population. The influx accelerated during the first-half chip frenzy: their combined shareholder tally more than doubled from 5.38 million at the end of 2025, with SK hynix's count nearly tripling in six months. The boom also widened exposure to the downside. The shareholder figures were recorded near June's market peak, shortly before Samsung and SK hynix suffered steep declines during July's market rout. August 15, 2026 14: -
Korea's trade representative sacked, raising speculations SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) -South Korea abruptly dismissed its top trade negotiator on Saturday, leaving the command post for talks with Washington vacant as Seoul confronts fresh U.S. tariffs pressure to accelerate a $350 billion investment commitment and other unresolved trade disputes. President Lee Jae Myung removed Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo from office effective midnight, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. No successor was immediately named and the government did not disclose a reason for the dismissal. The use of a compulsory dismissal for a vice minister-level political appointee was unusual, particularly because Yeo had remained at the center of Korea's U.S. trade negotiations until immediately before his removal. "The appointment and dismissal of political appointees fall within the appointing authority's powers and political judgment, and it would be inappropriate for the ministry to comment on the background," the ministry said, adding that it would work to prevent disruption to ongoing trade issues. Yeo's departure comes at an awkward moment for Seoul. Washington last month imposed new Section 301 tariffs on South Korean imports after the U.S. Trade Representative concluded that Korea had failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on imports produced with forced labor. Korea is among economies subject to duties of up to 12.5 percent, depending on the product and its existing most-favored-nation tariff. A separate USTR investigation into structural excess manufacturing capacity also includes South Korea and could produce additional trade measures. The investigation covers 16 economies and is examining whether policies contributing to excess production burden U.S. commerce. At the same time, Seoul is under pressure to implement the investment side of the bilateral trade agreement reached with the Trump administration. Under the deal, South Korea committed an additional $200 billion to strategic U.S. investment projects in return for a framework that set a 15 percent tariff rate on qualifying Korean goods. The dispute surrounding U.S.-listed e-commerce company Coupang has added another source of friction. Korean regulators imposed a record penalty on the company over a massive customer-data breach, while U.S. politicians and investors have raised concerns that the company was treated unfairly. Seoul has rejected allegations of discriminatory enforcement. There is no disclosed evidence linking any of those trade issues to Yeo's dismissal. His sudden removal nevertheless creates a potential continuity problem because he had served as the working-level commander of Seoul's negotiations with Washington since returning to government last year. Yeo previously headed Korea's trade negotiations under the Moon Jae-in administration and was appointed again by Lee in June 2025 as the new government prepared for tariff negotiations with the Trump administration. He subsequently led the government task force coordinating the U.S. negotiating package across trade, industry and energy and participated in repeated talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other senior American officials. As recently as Wednesday, Yeo attended a National Assembly committee meeting, and the industry ministry's schedule released Friday still listed him for Cabinet and trade-related meetings next week, underscoring the abruptness of the decision. The ministry plans to operate an emergency system led by Deputy Minister for Trade Park Jeong-sung until a successor is chosen, seeking to limit disruption to negotiations with Washington and other pending trade matters. AJP Takeaways: President Lee abruptly dismissed Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo without publicly giving a reason or immediately naming a successor. The timing raises continuity risks: Korea is dealing with new U.S. Section 301 tariffs, another investigation into manufacturing overcapacity and implementation of its $200 billion U.S. investment commitment. No link to Yeo's trade performance has been established. The industry ministry said it would use an emergency system led by Deputy Minister Park Jeong-sung to limit disruption. August 15, 2026 12: -
Korea's Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Han-goo Dismissed Amid U.S. Tariff Talks Yeo Han-goo, the Chief Trade Negotiator of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, has been dismissed.A ministry official confirmed on the 15th, Yeo has been removed from his position. Yeo previously served as the Director of Trade Policy during the Moon Jae-in administration and was reappointed as Chief Trade Negotiator with the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung government.He has been overseeing negotiations with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding non-tariff barriers, including agricultural products.However, the government has not disclosed the reasons for Yeos dismissal.A ministry official stated, We have no further comments to provide.* This article has been translated by AI. August 15, 2026 10:
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Korea widens nuclear export push from rules to SMRs SEOUL, August 15 (AJP) - South Korea is widening its nuclear export strategy beyond building reactors, seeking to package regulatory know-how with its manufacturing and construction muscle as it targets newcomer markets in Southeast Asia and a rapidly forming global supply chain for small modular reactors. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission agreed to integrate nuclear safety and regulatory cooperation into overseas reactor bids, paving the way for Bill Gates' TerraPower deepen partnerships with SK Innovation and Hyundai companies on Friday. The government is initially looking toward countries including Vietnam and the Philippines, where plans for new nuclear power programs are creating demand for expertise that extends well beyond construction. Newcomer countries must establish nuclear laws, licensing procedures, technical standards, regulatory institutions and trained safety personnel alongside the physical plant. Under a memorandum signed in Seoul on Thursday, the industry ministry and nuclear safety commission will regularly share information on overseas projects, local regulatory conditions and requests for cooperation. They plan to use Korea's experience regulating reactors through design, construction and operation to help prospective importing countries build safety and licensing systems suited to their stage of nuclear development. Until now, requests for regulatory assistance from overseas were generally passed by the industry ministry to the safety commission, which then worked with specialist agencies on an individual basis. The new arrangement is intended to bring regulatory cooperation into export projects from an earlier stage, effectively adding another piece to the "Team Korea" model traditionally built around utilities, reactor vendors, engineering companies and construction contractors. Korea Electric Power Corp., Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, the Korea Nuclear Association for International Cooperation, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control also signed a separate cooperation agreement to carry out country-specific regulatory projects. Officials reviewed projects in Vietnam, the Czech Republic and the Philippines following the signing and discussed how regulatory cooperation previously pursued with the United Arab Emirates and the Czech Republic could be adapted to other markets. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said the agreement created a formal structure linking reactor exports with regulatory cooperation and would allow Korea to respond more comprehensively to countries preparing to introduce nuclear power. Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairman Choi Won-ho said Korea would use its accumulated regulatory experience to tailor cooperation to individual countries' conditions and needs. The second part of Korea's nuclear push is emerging in advanced reactors. Gates, TerraPower's founder and chairman, met Korean government and business leaders in Seoul on Friday as the U.S. developer expanded commercial ties with Korean companies involved in manufacturing, engineering and project development. The industry ministry said Korean companies including SK and HD Hyundai have invested in TerraPower and are seeking roles ranging from equipment manufacturing to construction and operations in its U.S. and overseas projects. The ministry said Korea's dense network of large nuclear-equipment suppliers and smaller specialized manufacturers could serve as a production base for a future fleet of advanced reactors. TerraPower is building its first Natrium plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The design combines a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor with molten-salt energy storage, allowing output to rise to as much as 500 MW when demand peaks. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued its construction permit in March, and TerraPower began reactor construction in April. TerraPower says the first plant is expected to be completed in 2030, while the Korean industry ministry's release cites a 2031 target for commercial operation. SK Innovation on Friday signed a term sheet with TerraPower to pursue broader Natrium business development and explore Korea's first commercial Natrium project, as well as opportunities in international markets. The companies also plan to examine cooperation in engineering, digital twins and artificial intelligence for plant operation and maintenance. The agreement builds on SK's earlier financial investment in TerraPower and gives the Korean group a potential route into a reactor business that could eventually serve both industrial power demand and electricity-hungry AI infrastructure. The Korean government said rapidly expanding data centers are contributing to global interest in SMRs and argued that the early formation of their supply chains creates an opening for Korean manufacturers. Hyundai companies are moving deeper into the same supply chain. TerraPower said Friday that Hyundai Engineering & Construction had been selected as engineering, procurement and construction contractor for up to eight future Natrium reactors, with completion, price and performance guarantees intended to make conventional commercial financing easier. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries already became TerraPower's preferred manufacturer in May for components of the Natrium Reactor Enclosure System, giving the shipbuilder a role in building a scalable production chain for multiple reactors. TerraPower, HD Hyundai and Hyundai E&C have also agreed to cooperate across design, manufacturing, construction and project delivery. Kim told Gates that Korea had built what he described as a "foundry-level nuclear manufacturing and construction ecosystem" through roughly five decades of domestic and overseas reactor projects. Combining standardized foreign SMR designs with Korea's capacity for reliable serial production could help improve project economics, he said. AJP Takeaways: TerraPower is pulling Korean companies deeper into the SMR supply chain: SK Innovation is exploring a Korean Natrium project, while Hyundai E&C has been tapped for up to eight future reactors and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is a preferred equipment manufacturer. The export strategy is becoming technology-agnostic: Korea aims to sell its own reactors while also supplying manufacturing, EPC and regulatory expertise to foreign-designed nuclear projects. August 15, 2026 09: -
Hyundai Motor Group Partners with Army to Implement Physical AI in Defense Hyundai Motor Group is collaborating with the Army to apply robotics and physical artificial intelligence (AI) technology in defense operations. The initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of military support tasks by integrating advanced technology into dangerous and repetitive duties traditionally performed by soldiers.On August 14, Hyundai Motor Group announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Army and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy at the Army Headquarters in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, to expand the use of robotics, physical AI, and advanced technologies.This agreement was established to explore the potential applications of physical AI and other advanced technologies in the defense sector, in response to a decrease in military personnel and an increasing demand for cutting-edge technology. It also aims to test these technologies in real military operational environments.Hyundai Motor Group will examine ways to apply physical AI in the defense sector in collaboration with government agencies. The group plans to engage in joint research on key technologies, including AI data, and to explore the use of hydrogen mobility and infrastructure, as well as projects linked to the Saemangeum AI Valley. They will also take the lead in establishing testbeds and operating pilot projects.Specifically, starting this year, the Armys Pangyo AX Base will analyze data collected during the testing process to identify areas for technological improvement through joint military-civilian research. The military AX bases are part of a civilian-military-academic convergence ecosystem being established in five regions, including Pangyo, to quickly integrate the latest civilian AI technologies into the defense sector.The potential military applications of hydrogen technology will also be explored. Kia completed testing and evaluation of hydrogen-powered all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) with the military in May of last year. Additionally, the group is looking to connect a robotics manufacturing cluster and an AI data center to the Saemangeum AI Valley.A Hyundai Motor Group official stated, We will contribute to building a safe and efficient military support system and enhancing the competitiveness of domestic physical AI through technology validation and joint research that reflects on-site demands.Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group is expanding its business into military and firefighting sectors. Hyundai has donated unmanned firefighting robots and medical wearable robots, Exoskeleton Max, to the Fire Agency to ensure the safety of firefighters.Kia has been expanding its military vehicle business since being designated as a defense contractor in 1973, producing 2.5-ton trucks and 5-ton trucks. According to Kias special business division, the delivery volume of military special vehicles is projected to be 6,122 units in 2024, up from 5,789 units last year. August 14, 2026 17:
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MASGA gets liftoff with drones with Washington's push SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) - Washington's push to rebuild strategic industries at home while reducing dependence on China is creating new openings for South Korean companies in two seemingly different sectors: shipbuilding and drones. The latest U.S. moves point to a broader strategy of tapping production capacity from trusted allies where American industry cannot immediately meet demand, while using tariffs, investment and procurement rules to steer strategic supply chains away from China. For South Korea, that could mean access to markets that have long been difficult to enter, particularly U.S. naval shipbuilding and the fast-growing drone sector. But the opportunities come with a costly catch: Korean shipbuilders will have to put substantial investment, technology and production capacity into the United States, while drone makers will have to sharply reduce their reliance on Chinese components if they want preferential treatment. The shipbuilding sector offers the more immediate opening. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum creating what the White House calls the "Finland Model," modeled on an earlier U.S.-Finnish icebreaker partnership. Foreign suppliers can build the first two vessels of qualifying ship classes at their home-country yards, but only if they simultaneously build a new U.S. shipyard or take ownership or a majority stake in an existing one. Subsequent vessels must be built in the United States by an American workforce, using transferred technology and a U.S. supply chain. The model can initially be applied to up to three ship classes. That structure could put South Korean shipbuilders in a favorable position. The Pentagon and U.S. Navy have already tested Korean capabilities. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean responded to requests for information on combat vessels, while the two companies and Samsung Heavy Industries responded separately on medium-sized fleet replenishment ships. Among them, Hanwha appears most directly positioned because it already owns Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania and has announced a $5 billion expansion program aimed at raising annual production from fewer than two vessels to as many as 20. "Because Hanwha already has a yard in the United States, it has a relative advantage," said Woo Jong-hun, a professor of naval architecture and ocean engineering at Seoul National University. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries do not currently own U.S. yards, although both have been expanding partnerships with American shipbuilders. Shipbuilding shares gained Friday, with Hanwha Ocean rising about 5.6 percent and Samsung Heavy Industries more modestly of 1.36 percent and HD Hyundai Industries of 3 percent. Woo said the absence of a U.S. yard would not necessarily exclude other Korean companies if they eventually establish or acquire American production bases. "The way I read it, the first two ships could be built in the company's home country, but to build the follow-on vessels in the United States, it would ultimately need to secure a U.S. shipyard, either by acquiring one or building one," he said. He added that HD Hyundai could make an aggressive push for such opportunities, while Samsung Heavy Industries may face a disadvantage because of its more limited experience in naval shipbuilding. Hanwha is already trying to deepen its position in the U.S. naval supply chain. The group has made a nonbinding preliminary offer valuing Austal USA at between $1.05 billion and $1.2 billion. The Alabama-based company builds ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and supplies modules for Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines. Still, Korean shipbuilders would not have the field to themselves. The White House framework applies to foreign suppliers generally rather than South Korea specifically, leaving Korean yards to compete with shipbuilders from Japan and Europe. Korea's advantage lies largely in scale, productivity and experience building complex vessels quickly and at competitive cost. "Allied countries are not limited to Korea," Woo said. "There are Italian and other European shipyards that could compete, but Korea still has a relative advantage in areas such as productivity and cost, particularly for non-combat vessels." Drones face a tougher supply-chain test A parallel shift is taking place in drones. Trump on Thursday imposed new tariffs on imported unmanned aircraft systems and components after a Commerce Department investigation concluded that heavy dependence on foreign suppliers posed a national-security risk. The measure imposes a 100 percent tariff on drones weighing more than 25 kilograms, drones with thermal-imaging capabilities and certain sensitive components. Smaller and less sensitive systems generally face a 25 percent rate. South Korea, Japan, the European Union, Taiwan, Switzerland and Liechtenstein instead qualify for a 15 percent rate, while British products face 10 percent. But the preferential rate carries an important condition: substantially all of a drone's hardware, software and technology must originate in the qualifying country or the United States. The tariffs take effect 21 days after signing, with some less sensitive components given a 180-day transition period. That provision is particularly important for Korea. Although the tariff policy is broader than China alone, it is part of a wider U.S. effort to reduce dependence on Chinese drone technology. Chinese manufacturer DJI controls almost 70 percent of the global drone market and more than 90 percent of the consumer segment, according to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. It also accounts for more than 90 percent of the U.S. commercial drone market. The war with Iran has underscored the military importance of inexpensive unmanned systems. U.S. Central Command launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on Feb. 28 and listed LUCAS one-way attack drones among the systems deployed during the first 10 days of the campaign. Their combat use highlighted the Pentagon's growing interest in cheaper unmanned weapons that can be produced and deployed at scale. That shift could give Korean drone makers an opening in a market where their presence has already begun to grow. A Korea International Trade Association report showed that South Korea exported $27.54 million worth of drones in 2024, nearly 10 times the $2.81 million recorded in 2022. Yet Korea accounted for only 0.48 percent of global drone exports, ranking 20th worldwide. The small base means U.S. restrictions on Chinese products could create room for alternative suppliers. But the same supply-chain realignment also exposes one of Korea's biggest weaknesses. "In the long term, localization of core components is essential," said Kim Mu-hyun, a senior researcher at KITA. "But the country's heavy reliance on Chinese imports is not simply due to a lack of technical capability, but stems from structural issues such as low profit margins, often linked to a focus on low-cost models for civilian use." According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology's 2025 drone-industry survey, Chinese-made components accounted for 45.3 percent of parts used by Korean drone companies, exceeding the 40.5 percent share for domestic components. Chinese products accounted for 55.3 percent of batteries. That dependence now has a direct commercial consequence. Korean manufacturers cannot necessarily gain preferential U.S. treatment simply by assembling Chinese components into a Korean-made drone. Washington's new rule explicitly ties the lower tariff to the origin of the underlying hardware, software and technology. The opportunity therefore depends not just on replacing Chinese-branded finished drones, but on building a supply chain Washington is willing to regard as secure. An ally model with American production at its center Taken together, the shipbuilding and drone measures illustrate an emerging form of ally-based U.S. industrial policy. Washington is not simply trying to move production from China to South Korea. It is using allied industrial capacity as a bridge while seeking to expand production, technology and employment inside the United States. The shipbuilding memorandum makes that logic unusually explicit. Foreign yards can temporarily build the first two ships, but they must invest in U.S. shipyards, train American workers, transfer shipbuilding technology and move subsequent construction to the United States. The drone policy applies the same logic from the opposite direction: allied producers receive preferential access, but only when their products meet stringent origin requirements and reduce exposure to supply chains Washington regards as a security risk. Neither opening is unconditional. U.S. law under 10 U.S.C. §8679 generally bars Armed Forces vessels from being built in foreign shipyards. Trump's memorandum invokes the national-security waiver available under that law and delegates individual determinations to the secretary of war. Each qualifying contract must still be reported to Congress, and no contract can be made until 30 days after lawmakers receive that notification. For Korean drone makers, the risk lies partly in the supply chain itself. Chinese components remain embedded in Korean production, meaning tighter Chinese export controls or other retaliation could increase costs just as U.S. policy creates new demand. AJP Takeaways: · Trump's new "Finland Model" creates a path for allied yards to build the first two U.S. vessels overseas, but only alongside major investment, technology transfer and subsequent production in America. · Hanwha starts with an advantage because it already owns a U.S. shipyard and is pursuing Austal USA, while HD Hyundai and Samsung would need deeper U.S. production footprints. · Korean drone makers could benefit from sharply higher U.S. tariffs on many imported drones, but the 15 percent Korean rate comes with strict hardware, software and technology origin requirements. · Korea's dependence on Chinese drone components turns supply-chain localization from a long-term industrial goal into a near-term requirement for gaining from Washington's security-driven trade realignment. August 14, 2026 17: -
U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Drones, South Korea to Discuss Certification Standards The U.S. government has decided to impose tariffs of up to 100% on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and key components, with a maximum of 15% on products from South Korea. In response, the South Korean government will engage in discussions regarding detailed certification standards.According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the White House announced on August 13, based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, the imposition of tariffs on UAS. This measure aims to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities while enhancing domestic production capabilities for UAS and components.Starting September 3, UAS with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 25 kg will be subject to a 100% tariff. This rate will also apply to UAS equipped with thermal imaging equipment, UAS docking stations, and certain key components.For UAS weighing 25 kg or less without thermal imaging equipment, a 25% tariff will be imposed. The 25% tariff on certain components will take effect on February 9, 2027. However, companies that receive drone-related certifications or approvals from the U.S. Department of Defense or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be subject to the tariffs starting February 9, 2027.Products manufactured in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the European Union (EU) will be eligible for special preferential conditions. If companies can prove that all key components and technologies are sourced from these countries or the U.S., the total tariff rate will not exceed 15%.Details regarding which components and technologies will be considered for origin determination and how companies must prove this are yet to be finalized. The U.S. Department of Commerce plans to establish procedures for assessing compliance with the requirements for key components and technologies.The tariff regulations also include exemptions to encourage investment in domestic production facilities. Companies that begin the establishment, renovation, or expansion of UAS and component production facilities in the U.S. before January 20, 2029, can import products and production equipment without tariffs during the construction period, subject to approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce.While this measure secures the possibility of lower tariffs for South Korean UAS compared to competing products, companies still face the burden of proving the origin of key components and technologies. Notably, products classified as South Korean that utilize key components or technologies from non-preferential countries like China may not benefit from the 15% cap.In light of this, the South Korean government plans to engage in discussions with the U.S. The Ministry stated, We plan to negotiate with the U.S. regarding the unconfirmed details necessary for the application of preferential tariff rates for South Korean products, and we will also assess the impact on domestic industries exports to the U.S. and supply chains in collaboration with relevant ministries.* This article has been translated by AI. August 14, 2026 17:
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Korean Industry Minister Discusses SMR Collaboration with Bill Gates The South Korean government is expanding domestic nuclear companies participation in the small modular reactor (SMR) project of the U.S. company TerraPower. SK Innovation and TerraPower have agreed on key conditions for a global joint venture, aiming to solidify their collaboration in the overseas SMR market, including the United States.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that Minister Kim Jong-kwan met with Bill Gates, chairman of the board of TerraPower, in Seoul on August 14 to discuss ways to enhance Korean companies involvement in TerraPowers SMR project.TerraPower received construction approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in March and is working towards a target of commercial operation by 2031. The company is developing its fourth-generation SMR, known as Natrium, in the Kemmerer area of Wyoming, which uses sodium as a coolant instead of conventional water to transfer heat from the reactor to the steam generator.Korean companies, including SK and HD Hyundai, have been financially investing in and building partnerships with TerraPower. Domestic nuclear firms are also pursuing opportunities to participate in various aspects of TerraPowers projects in the U.S. and abroad, including equipment supply, operations, and construction.During the meeting, Minister Kim emphasized the importance of manufacturing and construction capabilities to complete projects within planned budgets and timelines to expand the overseas SMR market. He noted that Korean companies could play a pivotal role in realizing TerraPowers projects based on their accumulated experience in nuclear construction and operations.Kim also suggested that to ensure the economic viability of SMRs, it is essential to combine TerraPowers standardized designs with South Koreas reliable mass production supply chain. He highlighted that over the past 50 years, South Korea has built and operated nuclear power plants, establishing a sophisticated manufacturing ecosystem that includes both large corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises, making it a potential key supply chain for TerraPower.Following the meeting, Minister Kim, Bill Gates, and Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding on key conditions for a global joint venture between TerraPower and SK Innovation. This agreement allows SK Innovation to participate in the development of TerraPowers SMR projects in the U.S. and abroad.The Ministry stated, With the expansion of AI-based infrastructure and the increase in data centers, the demand for SMRs from global big tech companies is rapidly growing. As over 100 SMRs are being developed worldwide, companies will likely expand cooperation beyond national borders to secure early market and supply chain positions.Additionally, the Ministry noted, In light of changes in the global nuclear power market, the investment and business development of Korean companies in overseas SMR models and supply chain entry is significant for diversifying nuclear exports. The current phase, being the early stage of SMR supply chain formation, presents an opportune moment for Korean companies to actively engage in the overseas SMR supply chain through this meeting.* This article has been translated by AI. August 14, 2026 17:
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Foreigners lift KOSPI while other Asian market quiet SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) -Foreign money kept buying Seoul for a fifth straight session Friday, but this time the leadership came from telecom and automakers rather than the two chipmakers that drove both the market's first-half rally and its July collapse. The KOSPI closed at 6,977.94, up 164.60 points, or 2.42 percent, ending the week 11.5 percent higher and edging back toward the 7,000 level it surrendered a month ago on July 13. Foreign investors bought a net 3.04 trillion won ($2.14 billion), while domestic individuals and institutions sold into the rally. The rebound has come on relatively thin trading. The index remains about 26 percent below the record intraday high of 9,385.59 reached in June, before a July collapse that left the KOSPI down 22.19 percent for the month, its steepest monthly loss since the 2008 global financial crisis. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix also remain well below their June highs despite Friday's gains. KOSPI turnover totaled 26.73 trillion won Friday, less than 40 percent of the 67.26 trillion won traded during the June peak when the index was above 9,000. Individuals sold a net 1.98 trillion won and institutions 1.06 trillion won, leaving foreigners as the clear buyers. That split has characterized much of the August recovery. Retail investors, badly hit by July's leverage unwind, have continued selling into the rebound rather than following foreign money back into the market. Telecom led the sector gains, rising 8.5 percent as SK Telecom jumped 10.5 percent to 100,500 won. The company gave no confirmed reason for the move. Autos followed with a 6.2 percent gain. Hyundai Motor surged 8.2 percent to 453,000 won, a day after its Genesis luxury brand unveiled a next-generation hybrid system and said the GV80 Hybrid would launch next month. The chipmakers advanced without dominating the market. Samsung Electronics gained 2.4 percent to 274,500 won. SK hynix rose 3.3 percent to 1,645,000 won, still well below levels reached during its June surge. Refiners also attracted buying, with oil and gas shares up 5.8 percent. The session was far from one-directional. The KOSPI opened at 6,995.67 and briefly cleared 7,000 to reach 7,010.86 before falling as low as 6,848.43 as investors took profits. It recovered into the close. Softer-than-expected U.S. producer-price data released overnight supported the opening advance. The U.S. producer price index was unchanged in July from June, below market expectations for a 0.2 percent increase, while its annual increase slowed to 4.7 percent from 5.5 percent. The KOSDAQ, the secondary market dominated by smaller and technology companies, closed at 864.65, up 3.28 points, or 0.4 percent, after spending much of the session below Thursday's close. Foreign investors were net sellers there, underscoring the junior market's weaker participation in the broader August rebound. Elsewhere in the region, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 gained about 0.6 percent, while the Shanghai Composite was little changed. The won traded at 1,419.10 per dollar, slightly stronger than Thursday. AJP Takeaways: Foreigners remained the engine of the KOSPI rebound, buying a net 3.04 trillion won Friday as domestic retail and institutional investors sold. Market leadership broadened beyond semiconductors, with telecom and autos outperforming Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The recovery remains fragile beneath the headline gain: the KOSPI is still about 26 percent below its June record and Friday turnover was less than 40 percent of the June peak. Foreign money kept buying Seoul for a fifth straight session on Friday, and this time the leadership came from telecom and automakers rather than the two chipmakers that both built and broke this market. The KOSPI closed at 6,977.94, up 164.60 points or 2.42 percent, ending week 11 percent higher and edging toward the 7,000 market it surrendered a month ago on July 13. Foreign investors bought a net 3.04 trillion won ($2.14 billion) while domestic individuals and institutions sold into them. The rebound has been modest in thin trade. The index remains roughly 26 percent below the record 9,385.59 it reached in June, before a July collapse that ranks as the worst month in the market's history, and Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are both far from their June highs even after Friday's gains. Trade turnover nearly halved to 26.73 trillion won Friday from 67.26 trillion won during the June peak when the key index traded above 9,000 mark. Individuals sold a net 1.98 trillion won ($1.40 billion) and institutions a net 1.03 trillion won ($724 million). That split has been the shape of the entire August recovery. Retail money that was forced out during July's margin unwind is not coming back into the bounce. Wireless telecom led all sectors, up 8.5 percent, on a 10.5 percent jump in SK telecom to 100,500 won ($70.82). The company gave no confirmed reason for the move. Autos followed, up 6.2 percent. Hyundai Motor rose 8.2 percent to 453,000 won ($319.22), a gain local brokerages read as positioning ahead of the Genesis GV80 hybrid, whose launch plan the group disclosed on Thursday. The chipmakers advanced without leading. Samsung Electronics gained 2.4 percent to 274,500 won ($193.44). SK hynix rose 3.3 percent to 1,645,000 won ($1,159.19), still around 37 percent below the level it first passed in June. Refiners also drew buying, with oil and gas up 5.8 percent. The session was not one-directional. The index opened above 6,995, briefly cleared 7,010, then fell as low as 6,848 as institutions took profits, before recovering into the close. Softer than expected U.S. producer price data for July, released overnight, supported the open. The KOSDAQ, the secondary market for smaller and technology companies, closed at 864.65, up 3.28 points or 0.4 percent, after spending much of the session below Thursday's close. Foreign investors were net sellers there, and the junior market has lagged the whole rebound. Elsewhere in the region, the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo closed at 68,713.80, up 0.6 percent, with Kioxia up 3.8 percent, SoftBank Group up 2.9 percent and Advantest up 2.6 percent. The composite index in Shanghai was little changed. The won traded at 1,419.10 per dollar, slightly stronger than Thursday. August 14, 2026 16: