韓国2026年Q2GDP、+0.6%で予想上回る――半導体輸出3倍増、実質所得は38年ぶり高水準
韓国銀行の2026年Q2GDP速報値は前期比+0.6%と予想を上回り、半導体輸出が実質国民所得を38年ぶりの高水準に押し上げた。今後の金利動向、KRW、KOSPIへの示唆を分析する。
アルファベット、2026年設備投資を2,050億ドルに増額——クラウド82%増でSKハイニックス4.9%高・KOSPI4.4%高
アルファベットは2026年の設備投資見通しを1,950億〜2,050億ドルに引き上げた。2026年第2四半期のGoogleクラウド売上高が82%増の248億ドルに急伸したことが背景。SKハイニックス（000660.KS）はAIメモリ需要シグナルを受けて4.86%高の1,919,000ウォンで引け、サムスン電子（005930.KS）も3.65%高の270,000ウォンで終値。KOSPIは7,096.82（+4.40%）で取引を終えた。
カカオエンタープライズ、イ・ジェハン氏をCEOに指名――8年間で6度目のトップ交代でAI転換を加速
カカオ（035720.KS）のB2BクラウドおよびAI部門であるカカオエンタープライズは、イ・ウォンジュ前CEOの16カ月での辞任を受けイ・ジェハン氏を新CEOに指名した。8月6日の臨時株主総会で承認される見通しで、2025年度売上高₩169.7B（前年比+25.9%）・営業損失-₩34.3Bを背景に、AI転換への注力を改めて鮮明にした。
韓国、防衛チップ国産化を義務化——LIGネクスワンがAESAレース主導、閣僚が2029年までに自給率50%を目標設定
韓国は7月23日の閣僚会議で全兵器システムへの防衛半導体国産化を義務付け、官民共同ファブにより2029年までに国内調達率50%を目標とした。すでにAESA/SAR用MMICチップを開発中のLIGネクスワン(079550.KS)が最も直接的な上場恩恵株であり、ハンファエアロスペース(012450.KS)はより幅広い政策の恩恵とストロングバイのコンセンサスを持つ。
中国CXMT、86億ドルIPO完了――2026年アジア最大の上場案件、サムスン電子・SKハイニックスのDRAM競争を再編
中国の長鑫存儲（CXMT）が上海IPOで86億ドルを調達し、応募倍率212倍で7月27日に上場。第1四半期売上高は前年同期比719%急増。KB証券はこのIPOをサムスン電子の再評価の起爆剤と位置づけており、脅威ではないとする根拠を解説する。
KBフィナンシャルグループ、2026年Q2純利益が初めて₩2兆突破——コンセンサスを4.2%上回る
KBフィナンシャルグループ（105560.KS）は2026年第2四半期に連結純利益₩2.01兆（前年同期比+15.1%）を計上し、韓国の銀行として四半期利益₩2兆の大台を初めて突破。アナリスト予想の約₩1.91兆を4.2%上回った。2026年上半期の純利益は₩3.93兆（前年同期比+13.9%）に達した。
Apple、数年ぶり最大規模のMac刷新——新11モデルがサムスン電子・SKハイニックスのLPDDR需要加速を示唆
Bloombergの報道によると、Appleは2026年秋から2028年にかけて新Macモデル11機種を準備中。サムスン電子とSKハイニックスはLPDDR価格交渉力とサプライ主導のApple Macロードマップへの影響力から恩恵を受ける見通し。
KOSPIとKOSDAQの違いとは？海外投資家向けガイド（2026年）
KOSPI（サムスン電子、SKハイニックス）対KOSDAQ（エコプロ、アルテオジェン）：上場基準、時価総額、取引時間、そして米国投資家が両市場にアクセスする方法をわかりやすく解説。
LGエネルギーソリューション、タブレス円筒形電池特許侵害でEVEエナジーを米ITCに提訴――電動工具輸入に禁止令リスク
LGエネルギーソリューションが、米国の電動工具向けタブレス円筒形電池技術をめぐり、中国・EVEエナジーを対象に米ITCへ5件の特許侵害申立てとテキサス連邦裁判所への訴訟を提起し、韓国の電池IP紛争が米国市場へと拡大した。
カカオペイ証券CEO、2,000万ユーザー目標を表明 シーバートとの提携強化で韓国株を米個人投資家に開放へ
カカオペイ証券（親会社：377300.KQ）のシン・ホチョルCEOは、ユーザー数を約800万人から2,000万人へ3年で拡大する計画を発表するとともに、シーバート・フィナンシャル（NASDAQ: SIEB）との提携深化を明らかにした。米国の規制に基づくチャネルを通じて米個人投資家が韓国株を取引できる環境の整備を目指す。
新韓フィナンシャルグループ、2026年Q2純利益17.5%増の1.82兆ウォン――コンソレンサス比7%超過、7,000億ウォン自社株買いを発表
新韓フィナンシャルグループ（055550.KS）の2026年Q2純利益は前年同期比17.5%増の1.82兆ウォンとなり、コンセンサスを7%上回った。上半期純利益は3.44兆ウォン。銀行部門のNIMは前四半期比1bp上昇。Q3に7,000億ウォン規模の自社株買いを発表し、年初来の株主還元総額は1.4兆ウォンに達した。
現代自動車、2026年第2四半期速報：売上高50兆ウォン突破、関税の逆風が縮小
現代自動車は7月23日、2026年第2四半期の暫定業績を開示。売上高50.07兆ウォン（前年同期比+3.7%）、営業利益3.3兆ウォン（同▲8.4%）で、市場予想を約10%上回った。関税・アンジョン火災・パリセードのリコールが利益率を圧迫するなか、下期回復はグランジャーのフェイスリフトとジェネシスGV90の発売次第。
LGディスプレイCEO、4年連続2Q低迷の終焉を宣言――サムスンディスプレイのGen 8.6攻勢に対抗しCapExを倍増
LGディスプレイの鄭哲東社長は、一時的なリストラ費用を除いた2Q実質営業利益が約1,300億ウォンに達したと表明。サムスンディスプレイがGen 8.6の量産を加速する中、設備投資額を2兆ウォン台半ば〜高めへ倍増する方針を示した。
SKハイニックス取締役会、清州P&T7パッケージング拠点に₩7.09兆承認――CEO、2027年DRAM供給崖を警告
SKハイニックス（000660.KS）は2026年7月22日、清州P&T7先端パッケージング施設への投資₩7兆931億（約48億ドル）を取締役会で承認し、クリーンルーム整備を加速。クァクCEOは2027年のDRAM供給が需要の約60%に落ち込む可能性があると警告した。
サムスンバイオロジクス 2026年Q2決算：売上高30%増の1兆3,209億ウォン、上半期純利益1兆1,700億ウォン突破
サムスンバイオロジクスは2026年Q2の売上高が前年同期比30.2%増の1兆3,209億ウォン、営業利益が同22.9%増の5,864億ウォンとなり、市場コンセンサスに沿った結果となった。上半期累計売上高は2兆5,780億ウォンに達し、通期15〜20%成長ガイダンスの上限レンジで推移している。
韓国、麗水石油化学再編を承認――ロッテケミカル・韓化ソリューションズ・DLケミカルがNCC能力140万トン削減、7,000億ウォンの国家支援
韓国は7月22日、麗水NCC再編を承認し、エチレン生産能力140万トンを削減。ロッテケミカル、韓化ソリューションズ、DLケミカルが33/33/33の比率で合弁会社を設立し、7,000億ウォンの国家支援を受ける。
AMDがAnthropicに50億ドル投資・2GW規模のMI450契約——サムスン電子はHBM4の主要受益者に
AMDはAnthropicに最大50億ドルを投資し、AnthropicはAMD MI450 GPUを2GW規模で導入することを約束した。AMDの主要HBM4サプライヤーであるサムスン電子（005930.KS）は韓国市場における最大の受益者として浮上。SKハイニックス（000660.KS）も7月23日発表のQ2決算を前に、AMDメモリー受注の有力競合として注目される。
韓国市場週間展望 7月27日〜8月1日：SKハイニックス2Q確定決算、サムスン電子セグメント別データ
SKハイニックスは7月29日に2Q確定決算を発表（コンセンサス営業利益₩64.2兆、前年同期比+597%）、サムスン電子・LG電子は7月30日にセグメント別内訳を開示。韓国株投資家の注目ポイントを解説。
韓国4大財閥トップ、大統領とともにジェンセン・フアン氏と晩餐――サンフランシスコでヴェラ・ルービンHBM4・AIファクトリー計画を協議
韓国4大財閥会長と李在明大統領が7月25日、サンフランシスコでジェンセン・フアン、サム・アルトマン、ダリオ・アモデイ各氏と会食――サムスン電子とSKハイニックスはすでにヴェラ・ルービン向けHBM4を出荷中。
LGエネルギーソリューション、オハイオ電池工場を再稼働――850人が復職、EV需要の「谷」は転換点へ
LGエネルギーソリューションとGMのUltium Cells合弁が7月27日よりオハイオ州ウォーレン工場に850人を復職させる。EV需要の「谷」が終息に向かう中、2026年下半期の稼働率は46.9%から60%超へ改善する見通し。
サムスン電子、ミストラルAIに10億ユーロ出資交渉――S&Pが見通しをポジティブに格上げ、メモリー超サイクルが欧州AI投資を後押し
サムスン電子（005930.KS）が企業価値200億ユーロでミストラルAIへ約10億ユーロの出資交渉中と報道。S&PはEBITDAが2026年に284億ドルへ4倍増と予測し、見通しをポジティブに格上げ。韓国投資家への主要示唆を解説。
LGディスプレイ2026年Q2：営業損失▲1,077億ウォン、構造改革費用が圧迫もH1黒字転換——iPhone 18 Pro量産開始で下期回復へ
LGディスプレイ(034220.KS)の2026年Q2営業損失は▲1,077億ウォンとコンセンサスを下回った。大規模な構造改革費用が主因で、同費用除きの実質ベースでは約+900億ウォンの黒字と推定される。2026年上半期(H1)は+390億ウォンへ黒字転換。iPhone 18 Pro向けOLEDパネルの量産が2026年6月に開始しており、通期コンセンサス営業利益1兆1,200億ウォンに向けた下期回復の基盤が整いつつある。
KOSPI Surges 6% to 7,150 as SK Hynix Knocks on ₩2M Door — Chip Short Squeeze Sets the Stage for Q2 Earnings
KOSPI opens +5.96% to 7,150 on July 22 as SK Hynix (+8.7-9.2% to KRW1,995,000) leads a chip short squeeze. SOX surged 5% overnight. SK Hynix Q2 preliminary results expected after today's KRX close, with consensus operating profit at KRW64.8T (+604% YoY).
Samsung Display to Overtake LG Display in OLED Laptop Panels for the First Time — Korea's 95% Market Grip Bars China
Samsung Display is projected to overtake LG Display in mid-to-large OLED revenue for the first time in Q3 2026, capturing 48% versus LGD's 47%. Korean manufacturers jointly hold ~95% of the laptop and monitor OLED market, while Chinese rivals BOE and EverDisplay hold under 5%. LG Display Q2 2026 results are due July 22.
Apple 'Upgrade' Lease Arrives July 28 — Samsung Electronics Faces Ecosystem Lock-In Threat as Galaxy Unpacked Looms
Apple launches a Klarna-backed lease-to-own programme on July 28, applying ecosystem lock-in pressure on Samsung's ₩2.8T mobile business one day after Galaxy Unpacked.
BlackRock Crosses 5% in KAI and EcoPro — World's Largest Asset Manager Adds Defense and Battery to Its Korea Playbook
BlackRock disclosed 5.02% in Korea Aerospace Industries and 5.01% in EcoPro on July 21, 2026, crossing mandatory disclosure thresholds and extending its Korean portfolio to 19 companies with 5%-plus stakes.
L&F Closes Battery Recycling Loop with CIS Chemical — Korea's First Integrated NCM/LFP Circular Supply Chain
L&F (066970.KQ) has made a strategic investment in CIS Chemical, South Korea's only commercialized LFP hydrometallurgical recycler, closing its preprocessing-to-post-processing loop as Korea's first non-Chinese LFP cathode mass production facility ramps up in Q3 2026.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked July 22, London: Z Fold 8 Trio, Galaxy Glasses, and the Memory-Cost Pass-Through
Samsung Electronics will host Galaxy Unpacked in London on July 22, unveiling the Z Fold 8 trio (from USD 1,899), Galaxy Glasses, and a new Galaxy Card. With the memory-cost pass-through driving higher ASPs and Q2 full results due July 30, Korea investors are watching 005930.KS supply-chain beneficiaries including Samsung Electro-Mechanics (009150.KS) and Samsung SDI (006400.KS).
Samsung Electronics Launches CEO-Direct 'RX' Robotics Unit — Physical AI Push Targets 2030 Autonomous Factories
Samsung Electronics launches the RX (Robotics eXperience) Business Office under CEO Roh Tae-moon, with Rainbow Robotics (277810.KQ) as the primary listed proxy for the physical AI push.
Shinsegae Bets $500 Million on Aman and Janu — Korea's Retail Giant Eyes Ultra-Luxury Hospitality Pivot
Shinsegae Property and OKO Group (Aman owner) form a USD 500 million JV for ultra-luxury hotel development in Korea and Asia, targeting 2027 Aman Seoul and Janu openings as inbound tourism surges to 18.9M arrivals.
Microsoft Azure Bets on AMD Helios — Samsung Gains as AMD Primary HBM4 Supplier in the GPU Memory Race
Microsoft Azure will deploy AMD Helios racks (72 MI455X GPUs, 31 TB HBM4) in H2 2026. Samsung (005930.KS) is AMD primary HBM4 partner; SK Hynix supplies Nvidia — Korea memory split mapped.
Kakao Bank Calls Full-Day Strike for July 31 as Group-Wide Wage Talks Collapse
Kakao Bank's union has voted for a full-day strike on July 31 after wage negotiations broke down. Kakao Corp talks are deadlocked after two months. We examine the labor cost implications for 035720.KS and 323410.KS investors.
Morgan Stanley's Joseph Moore: Memory Selloff Is a Buy — DRAM to Rise 13–20% in Q3, Shortage Through 2028
Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore upgraded Q3 2026 memory price forecasts and named the recent selloff a buying opportunity. PC DRAM forecast raised to +15–20%, Server DRAM to +13–18%. KOSPI rebounded 2.47% on July 21 with SK Hynix +2.38% and Samsung +3.89%.
SK Hynix (000660.KS) Q2 2026 Earnings Preview: ₩64.8T Operating Profit Consensus as HBM3E Sells Out — Results July 29
SK Hynix Q2 2026 earnings preview: FnGuide consensus at ₩64.8T operating profit (+604% YoY), ~77% margin. HBM3E sold out through 2027; results due July 29.
South Korea Chip Exports Surge 180% in July 1–20, Pushing Semiconductors to 40% of Total Shipments
South Korea's exports surged 52.3% to USD 54.9B in July 1-20, with semiconductor shipments jumping 180% to USD 22.1B as AI-driven HBM demand pushes chips to ~40% of total exports. Trade surplus hit USD 12.2B. Automobile exports fell 10.6%.
Hanwha Philly Shipyard Wins $1.4 Billion Golden Dome Contract to Build Two Missile-Tracking Vessels
Hanwha Philly Shipyard and TOTE Services win a $1.4 billion U.S. Missile Defense Agency contract for two 'Golden Defender' missile-tracking vessels — cementing Hanwha Ocean's role in U.S. strategic defense shipbuilding and the Korea-U.S. shipbuilding alliance.
Coupang's 299,000 sq m Incheon Logistics Hub Burns for 61 Hours — National Mobilization, Damage Seen at Hundreds of Billions
Coupang logistics center No. 32 (299,000 sq m, Incheon) burned for 61 hours from July 18, with 813 firefighters deployed. Damage estimated at several hundred billion won; CPNG stock held near $16.47 as investors look to the 2021 precedent.
Hanwha Solutions Locks In ₩1.2T Rights Offering at ₩22,100 After FSS Halved Its Capital Plan
Hanwha Solutions (009830.KS) cuts rights offering to ₩1.2T at ₩22,100 after FSS forced two revisions from ₩2.4T. Shareholders subscribe July 22–23; new shares list August 11.
KOSPI Hits 6,515 Intraday as SOX Enters Bear Market, Then Snaps Back — SK Hynix Turns Green Ahead of Earnings
South Korea's KOSPI plunged 4.48% intraday to 6,515 on July 20 as the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) entered bear market territory. But SK Hynix (000660.KS) recovered sharply, turning positive (+1.30%) ahead of its Q2 2026 earnings on July 22.
Samsung and SK Hynix Race to Mass-Produce CXL 3.2 Memory — Adding a New Tier to AI's Memory Hierarchy
Samsung targets year-end CXL 3.2 mass production while SK Hynix shows 256 GB CMM-DDR5 with 35.7% inference gains. CXL adds capacity-tier memory that complements HBM ahead of SK Hynix Q2 earnings on July 22.
Blackstone Buys Controlling Stake in Korea's Futronic for $720M, Betting Automotive Actuators Can Power the Humanoid Era
Blackstone's affiliated PE funds agreed to pay approximately $720M for a controlling stake in Futronic, a South Korean motion-control actuator maker founded in 1993. The deal signals growing global conviction in Korea's humanoid robotics supply chain, with Goldman Sachs projecting Korean companies will support 30% of global humanoid production by 2035.
Naver vs Kakao: Business Comparison for Investors (2026)
Naver (035420) and Kakao (035720) dominate Korea's digital economy. Compare revenues, margins, user bases, and risks to decide which fits your Korea tech thesis.
Samsung Electronics Cuts ~840 U.S. Jobs as Consumer Division Exits New Jersey for Texas
Samsung Electronics America is relocating its U.S. consumer-electronics HQ from Englewood Cliffs, NJ to Plano, TX by end-2026, filing WARN notices for ~840 roles. The move highlights the widening gap between Samsung's record DS chip division (Q2 OP ~KRW 89T) and its margin-pressured DX consumer unit.
LG Chem (051910.KS) Pares Naju Plant to One Line
LG Chem (051910.KS), Korea's largest chemical company and a major battery-materials maker, will close the adhesive production line at its Naju plant in South Je
Korea Loosens Bank-AI Rules; KB's Startup 'Trust Layer' Shows Early Demand
Korea's Financial Services Commission (FSC, the country's top financial regulator) has begun dismantling the "network separation" rule that for more than a decade kept cloud-hosted AI walled off from
Samsung Biologics Bets $2.0 Billion on Swiss Peptide Maker PolyPeptide to Enter the GLP-1 Supply Chain
Samsung Biologics (207940.KS), the Songdo-based contract drug manufacturer within Korea's Samsung group, has agreed to acquire 100% of PolyPeptide Group AG, a Swiss-headquartered contract developer and manufacturer of therapeutic peptides, in the largest M&A ever struck by a Korean pharmaceutical or...
Micron Locks In 3-to-5-Year Automotive AI Memory Deals with Hyundai Mobis and Samsung Harman
Micron signed 3-5 year supply deals with Hyundai Mobis (012330.KS) and Samsung Harman for ADAS memory. TrendForce projects SLC NAND prices could surge 120-170% in H2 2026.
Korea Aerospace Industries Completes T-50i Deliveries to Indonesia — KF-21 Export Deal Next in Line
KAI delivered 6 T-50i jets to Indonesia in July 2026 (total: 22). Indonesia may next buy 16 KF-21 fighters (~KRW 3T). KAI stock is 27% below analyst consensus target.
Starbucks Korea's First Union Forms as Q2 Operating Loss Looms — Emart (139480.KS) Faces Compounding Risk
Korea's first coffee-chain union forms at Starbucks Korea as Q2 2026 brings an expected ₩22.9B operating loss — a dual shock for Emart (139480.KS), which owns 67.5% of SCK.
LG Display (034220.KS) Q2 2026 Earnings Preview: Restructuring Trough on July 22 Before Apple OLED Ramp
LG Display reports Q2 2026 on July 22. Consensus: OP loss ₩83–119B on restructuring. Analysts see Q2 as the trough before H2 Apple OLED ramp — BOE shut out of premium models.
Hyundai Motor and Kia Q2 2026 Earnings Preview: Fire, Tariffs, and a Surprising Divergence
Hyundai Motor reports Q2 on July 23, Kia on July 24. Consensus sees Hyundai OP down ~14% from a factory fire and tariffs; Kia up ~1% on hybrid strength. Three things to watch.
Woori Financial (316140.KS) Q2 2026 Earnings Preview: Indonesia Provisions Booked, ₩958B Rebound on July 24
Woori Financial reports H1 2026 results on July 24 at 16:00 KST. Q2 consensus: ~₩958B (approx. +2% YoY per FnGuide). CET1 record 13.6%; H2 buyback up to ₩350B in view.
Shinhan Financial Group (055550.KS) Q2 2026 Earnings Preview: NIM Lift, ₩5T Milestone, and Lotte Wildcard
Shinhan Financial Group reports Q2 on July 24. Consensus net profit ~₩1.61T (+4% YoY). NIM +1bp to 1.94%, CET1 ~13.5%, and Lotte Non-Life deal are the key watch points.
Hana Financial Group Q2 2026 Earnings Preview: Record Profit, NIM Expansion, and ₩650B H2 Buyback
Hana Financial reports Q2 2026 results July 24. Consensus ₩1.22–1.25T net income (+4–6% YoY), record quarter. Watches: NIM +3bp, ₩650B H2 buyback, Dunamu CET1.
Foreign Investors Net-Sold ₩12.4 Trillion in Korean Stocks in July — but They Are Buying Index ETFs
Foreign investors net-sold ₩12.44T in Korean equities in July (₩12.1T KOSPI + ₩338.1B KOSDAQ) but bought a net ₩593.7B in Korean ETFs. We decode what this divergence signals.
KB Financial (105560.KS) Q2 2026 Earnings Preview: Record Profit, Rate Hike, and H2 Buyback
KB Financial's H1 2026 earnings conference is July 23 at 16:00 KST. Consensus Q2 net profit ₩1.91T (+10%) — here are three things Korea investors must watch.
South Korea's Biggest FX Overhaul Since 1997 Opens Won to Foreign Investors — What It Means for KOSPI
South Korea unveiled its biggest forex reform since 1997: foreigners can open won-denominated accounts overseas from Jan 2027. Here's what KOSPI investors need to know.
Korea Market Week Ahead (July 20–25): SK Hynix Q2 Wednesday, Bank Earnings, Homeplus Verdict
SK Hynix Q2 lands Wed July 22 (OP consensus ₩60–65T, +551–606% YoY). KB Financial call Thu July 23. Homeplus ruling expected. Four key events July 20–25 plus CXMT IPO July 27.
KB Report: Korea Solo Households Rotated Into Stocks at Peak
KB Report: Korea Solo Households Rotated Into Stocks at Peak
Alteogen ALT-B4 Powers Keytruda SC as Celltrion and Samsung Bioepis Field Rival Korean SC Platforms
Alteogen ALT-B4 powers Keytruda SC with up to $890M MSD milestones. Celltrion and Samsung Bioepis now field rival Korean SC platforms ahead of Keytruda's 2028 patent cliff.
SKHY Lands in 11 Korean Active ETFs Six Days After Nasdaq Debut — Three Things to Watch Ahead of Q2 Earnings
SK Hynix ADR (SKHY) entered 11 Korean active ETFs within six days of its July 10 Nasdaq debut. Q2 results come July 22 — three factors every investor must track.
Ecopro BM Sets 2027 Solid Electrolyte Mass-Production Target as All-Solid-State Battery Race Heats Up in Korea
Korea's largest cathode material maker sets 2027 as its solid electrolyte mass-production target, disclosing a full all-solid-state battery roadmap with 30+ global companies verifying its pilot materials.
Korea Triples Chip ETF Deposit to ₩30M, Halts New Listings as 'SamNick' Funds Draw ₩7.3 Trillion
Korea's FSC tripled the minimum deposit for Samsung and SK Hynix leveraged ETFs to ₩30M and halted new listings after ₩7.3T in total net inflows as funds fell nearly 50%.
Gong Cha's $2 Billion Auction Pits MBK Against Global Giants — Korea, Its Top Market, Hemorrhages Profit
TA Associates is pursuing a $2 billion (~₩3 trillion) sale of global bubble tea franchise Gong Cha, with Bain Capital, General Atlantic, and Korea's MBK Partners in the running. South Korea remains the brand's largest market at ~900 stores but saw operating profit plunge 78% in 2023 as value-coffee chains Mega Coffee and Compose Coffee take share.
HYBE Q2 2026 Earnings Preview: BTS World Tour Targets ₩1.2 Trillion Quarter
HYBE (352820.KS) Q2 2026 results due late July; consensus revenue ₩1.2T (~$822M), +70.5% YoY. BTS world tour powers first full stadium-concert quarter.
CXMT Prices China's Record USD 9.8 Billion IPO at USD 85 Billion — Samsung and SK Hynix Hold the HBM Line
China's CXMT launches Asia's largest semiconductor IPO of 2026 at USD 85.6 billion valuation, raising up to USD 9.83 billion. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix fall in U.S. trading but retain strategic HBM market dominance with approximately 79% combined share.
Korea's Big Three Department Stores Each Near ₩1 Trillion in Foreign Sales as K-Wave Tourism Breaks H1 Records
Korea's three largest department store operators collectively booked ₩1.68 trillion in foreign sales in H1 2026, nearing their full-year 2025 totals, with all three chains projecting first-ever annual foreign revenues above ₩1 trillion as K-wave-driven tourism hits record highs.
SK Hynix Tables Stock-for-Bonus Plan Worth ₩25 Trillion as Union Balks Over Forced Tax Sales
SK Hynix proposes paying its record KRW 25 trillion bonus pool partly in treasury shares. Workers face income-tax bills they must sell stock to cover.
MBK Puts Chairman's Personal Wealth Behind Homeplus as Meritz Extends ₩200 Billion Last-Ditch Rescue
Meritz Financial Group (138040.KS) approved a ₩200B emergency loan to save Homeplus. MBK Partners chairman stakes personal assets as 12,000 jobs and ₩1.2T in exposure hang in the balance.
Align Partners Calls for JB-BNK Regional Bank Merger to Build Korea's Largest Regional Lender at ₩234 Trillion
South Korean activist investor Align Partners has formally called on JB Financial Group and BNK Financial Group to review a merger that would create Korea's largest regional bank with USD 157 billion in combined assets, targeting a post-merger ROE of 12.8%.
Naver vs Coupang 2026: KRW 33 Billion Kurly Bet and First Fulfillment Centers Reset Korea E-Commerce Race
Naver injected KRW 33B into Kurly (stake to 6.2%) and is scouting its first fulfillment centers as Coupang data breach handed Korea No. 2 a 45% MAU surge.
Hyundai Motor Takes 100% Control of Boston Dynamics for $325M as SoftBank Exits — 25,000 Atlas Robots Cleared for Korean and U.S. Plants by 2028
Hyundai acquires SoftBank's remaining 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics for $325M, securing full ownership. 25,000 Atlas robots set for Korean and U.S. factory deployment by 2028.
K-Pop Album Exports Hit Record $257M in H1 2026 — BTS "Arirang" Drives 125% Surge, Setting Up HYBE's July 28 Earnings Test
South Korea's K-pop album exports hit a record USD 257.48M in H1 2026 (+125% YoY). BTS's 'Arirang' topped the Billboard 200 for three consecutive weeks; HYBE reported record Q1 revenue of ₩698.3B (+39.5% YoY). HYBE reports Q2 2026 earnings July 28.
Samsung Galaxy Glasses Meet Meta Head-On With $379–$499 Bet on AI Fashion — Gentle Monster Puts Korea at the Heart of the Wearable Race
Samsung is set to unveil Galaxy Glasses at Unpacked on July 22, 2026. Leaked pricing at $379–$499 matches Meta's Ray-Ban Gen 2. Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster co-designs one frame line, adding Korean design credentials to Samsung's DX growth push.
Korea's Power Grid Trio Locks In ₩1.43T in Contracts as AI Data Centers Trigger a Transformer Supercycle
HD Hyundai Electric, Hyosung Heavy Industries, and LS Electric announced a combined ₩1.43 trillion in power infrastructure contracts on July 2, 2026, driven by AI data center construction and aging US grid replacement. The trio's combined 2026 operating profit is forecast to approach ₩3 trillion, up 38% year-on-year.
Samsung Q2 2026 Full Results Due July 30: Three Figures Behind the ₩89.4T Headline
Samsung posted ₩89.4T operating profit in Q2 2026 (preliminary, July 7). Full segment breakdown — DS, MX, foundry — releases July 30. Three numbers that will move 005930.KS.
Apple Enters DOJ Settlement Talks — Samsung Korea Subpoenaed as Case's 'Most Relevant Third Party'
Apple entered early settlement talks with the U.S. DOJ over its 2024 antitrust case. Samsung Korea is at the center — subpoenaed for discovery, named as Apple's closest competitor.
SKHY ADR Premium Drops 28 Points From 51% to 23% in Two Sessions: Constitution Day, Options Expiry
SKHY ADR premium compressed from a same-session peak of 51% on July 14 to ~23% on July 16 in two sessions. KRX closed today for Korea's reinstated Constitution Day.
Meritz Financial Approves ₩200 Billion DIP Loan for Homeplus as MBK Chair Stakes Personal Guarantee Before July 20 Court Deadline
Meritz Financial Group approved a ₩200 billion debtor-in-possession loan for Homeplus on July 16, with MBK Partners Chairman Michael Kim providing a personal guarantee for the full amount. The deal enables Homeplus to appeal Seoul Bankruptcy Court's rehabilitation termination before the July 20 deadline. Korean bank creditors hold an estimated ₩1 trillion in combined exposure.
Kia Partners With Kakao Mobility to Build Purpose-Built Robotaxis as Seoul Sets October Level-4 Debut
Kia and Kakao Mobility ink a PBV robotaxi co-development MOU, with Kia supplying PV5 DevKit vans for Seoul's 2026 pilot as both partners target Korea's first unmanned Level-4 commercial service in October.
Micron Locks In Hyundai Mobis and Samsung's Harman on 3-5 Year AI Vehicle Chip Deals
Micron Technology secured 3-5 year strategic supply agreements with Hyundai Mobis and Samsung's Harman for AI-enabled vehicle memory. What it means for Korea's three-way automotive chip race.
KAI Completes T-50i Deliveries to Indonesia, Opening KRW 2.5T KF-21 Revenue Window
KAI delivered its final T-50i batch to Indonesia on July 16, completing 22 total units and cementing a relationship that anchors a KRW 2.5 trillion KF-21 fighter revenue stream beginning Q1 2026. With Q1 revenue forecast up 53.4% YoY and 94+ FA-50 aircraft in global negotiation, analysts maintain a Buy consensus with a 37% upside target.
EU Forces Android Open: Samsung (005930.KS) Gemini at Risk
The European Commission (the EU's executive arm and top antitrust enforcer) on July 16, 2026 issued two binding orders requiring Alphabet's Google to open its Android operating system to rival artificial-intelligence assistants and to share Google Search data with competing search providers.
SK Group Chair Chey Tae-won: 'AI Memory Demand Will Rise 20x by 2030 — Just Hold SK Hynix'
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won told a KCCI summer forum to stop trading SK Hynix and hold long-term, citing AI memory demand expanding roughly 20x from 2026 to 2030 and SK Hynix 56.4% global HBM market share.
Bank of Korea's First Rate Hike in 3.5 Years: 2.75%, October Next, 3% by Year-End
Bank of Korea hikes 25bp to 2.75% (7-0 vote): first rate rise in 3.5 years. CPI at 3.2%, October hike expected, year-end consensus 3%. Won firms; bank stocks jump.
Uber's $14.8 Billion Delivery Hero Bet Delivers Baemin to Its Global Platform — Now It Faces Coupang
Uber agreed to buy Delivery Hero for $14.8 billion, handing it Baemin — South Korea's dominant food-delivery app with 15.24M weekly users. KFTC scrutiny and Coupang's competitive response are key investor risks.
KB Financial Launches ₩100 Billion AX Digital Asset Fund, Betting on Korea's Stablecoin and CBDC Race
KB Financial Group (105560.KS) launches the ₩100 billion KB AX Digital Asset Fund targeting stablecoin, CBDC, and AI startups. Five group affiliates serve as LPs and KB Investment as GP. The move pre-positions Korea's largest commercial bank ahead of the Digital Asset Framework Act expected in late 2026.
SK Innovation Upgrades Draw 71% Upside as Hana Cites Lube Oil Squeeze and Korea's Mega-Project Power Play
Hana Securities raises SK Innovation (096770.KS) target to KRW 200,000 (71% upside), forecasting record KRW 6.5T FY2026 operating profit on lube oil supply squeeze and hidden value in SK E&S merger and TerraPower SMR stake.
Google Gemini Delay Won't Dent Samsung, SK hynix HBM Demand
Alphabet's Google has pushed back Gemini 3.5 Pro, its most powerful flagship AI model, after concluding the technology fell short of internal goals — particular
SKHY Q2 2026 Earnings: Date, Consensus, and Three Metrics to Watch
SK Hynix (SKHY) releases Q2 2026 results July 22; conference call July 29 at 9 a.m. KST. Consensus OP ~₩65T vs ₩9.2T in Q2 2025. Three metrics Nasdaq investors need to watch.
TSMC Q2 Revenue Hits Record $40.2B, Raises Capex to $64B: What It Means for Samsung Foundry and SK Hynix
TSMC's Q2 2026 revenue reached a record $40.2 billion at 60.3% operating margin, with net income of approximately $22.4 billion. The company raised FY2026 capex guidance to $60–64 billion and pledged a fresh $100 billion for its Arizona operations, signaling an extended AI chip investment cycle with direct implications for SK Hynix HBM demand and Samsung Foundry's competitive position.
BoK Raises to 2.75% in 3.5-Year First: What the Hike Means for KB, Shinhan, and Hana NIM
Bank of Korea unanimously raised rates 25bp to 2.75% on July 16 — first hike in 3.5 years. What it means for NIM, H2 earnings, and buybacks at KB, Shinhan, and Hana.
Korea's Finance Chiefs Call Emergency F4 Meeting, Freeze New Samsung-Hynix Leveraged ETFs and Triple Investor Deposit to ₩30 Million
South Korea's top financial regulators convened an emergency F4 meeting on July 16 to freeze new single-stock leveraged ETF listings and raise the investor deposit threshold to ₩30 million, targeting extreme KOSPI volatility from Samsung-Hynix ETF speculation.
Samsung and Apple Are the Only Foreign AIs Approved in China — Galaxy AI Goes Live With Baidu, ByteDance Partners
China's CAC approved Samsung Galaxy AI and Apple Intelligence as the only two foreign AI services in its latest eight-platform batch, opening a new phase of the AI smartphone race in the world's largest market.
Samsung's Chip-Equipment Arm Semes Launches First Union as Supercycle Pay Demands Reach Korea Supply Chain
Semes Co., Korea's largest semiconductor equipment maker, launched its first labor union on 15 July 2026, demanding performance bonuses linked to Samsung's DS semiconductor-division benchmarks. Tokyo Electron Korea is also forming a union.
HD Korea Shipbuilding (KSOE) Posts ₩1.44T Q2 Operating Profit, Up 51%, as LNG Cycle Matures Into Margin
HD KSOE (009540.KS) posted Q2 2026 preliminary operating profit of ₩1.44T (+50.8% YoY) on revenue of ₩8.63T (+16.1%), sustaining a ~16.7% OP margin. Order intake of USD 16.4B already covers 70.3% of the USD 23.31B annual target.
Google (GOOGL) Android Fee Cut to Reach Korea by December
Google (GOOGL) has run out of legal room to slow the opening of Android. On July 15 the company and Epic Games jointly withdrew a modified settlement they had h
Samsung's ₩40T Bonus Deal Faces Shareholder Rebellion: Activist Platform Asks NPS to Force AGM Vote
Samsung minority shareholders, via activist platform ACT, are pushing Korea's National Pension Service to demand a formal AGM vote on the company's ₩40T annual profit-linked bonus scheme for its DS semiconductor division before any payouts are made.
KOSPI Vaults 6.2% and Triggers Buy Sidecar as Barclays' SK Hynix "Double" Call and US CPI Miss Reverse the Rout
Seoul stocks rebounded sharply on July 15 as softer US CPI data and a Barclays upgrade on SK Hynix ADRs drove a 6.24% KOSPI advance to 7,284. A buy-side sidecar was triggered at the open. Foreigners purchased ₩2.34T net, more than doubling the prior session.
Seoul Raids Rambus, Renesas, Montage Over Chip Price-Fixing
On July 15, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office — Korea's lead body for major economic-crime prosecutions — searched the Korean offices of three glob
Hanwha Corp Shareholders Vote 99.9% to Split Conglomerate, Sharpening Kim Succession Map for Defence and Energy
Hanwha Corp. shareholders voted 99.9% to approve a corporate split on July 15, separating defence, energy and financial assets into the existing entity while spinning off machinery, hospitality and robotics into a new company listing August 25. The restructuring clarifies Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan's succession claim over Hanwha Aerospace, Ocean, and Solutions.
BoK Hikes July 16: KB Financial, Shinhan, and Hana — The NIM Playbook for Tomorrow
BoK is set to hike 25bp to 2.75% on July 16 — its first rate hike since 2023. Here is what the decision means for KB, Shinhan, and Hana Financial NIMs.
Samsung (005930.KS) ₩600M DS Bonus Sparks DX Union Rally
Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), South Korea's largest listed company, faces a staff rally on Thursday, July 16, over a pay fight that has turned its own workfo
ASML Raises 2026 Outlook Again on HBM-Driven EUV Demand
ASML, the Dutch supplier that builds the world's only extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems, beat its own guidance in the second quarter and lifted its full-year 2026 forecast for the second time this year — a read that matters less for the company itself than for its two largest Korean customers, Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and SK Hynix (000660.KS), whose AI-memory buildout is substantially reflected in ASML's order book.
LG Energy Solution Wins Google's Steel River Battery Order, Largest U.S. Solar-Storage Project
LGES wins Google's Steel River battery supply deal: 2.0 GWh LFP initially, expanding to 2.9 GWh by 2029. North American manufacturing secures IRA AMPC credits. Follow-on to May 2026 DTE Energy order.
Korea, US and Japan Sign SMR Pact: Doosan Enerbility, HD Hyundai and SK Eye Global Nuclear Market
South Korea signed a trilateral SMR cooperation pact with the US and Japan. Doosan Enerbility is investing ₩806.8B in a Changwon SMR facility; SK Group holds USD 250M in TerraPower; HD Hyundai Heavy develops floating nuclear plants.
Celltrion (068270.KS) Eyes $5B Tremfya with Phase 1 Trial
Celltrion, one of South Korea's leading biosimilar developers (068270.KS), said on July 15 it has won approval from the MFDS — South Korea's Ministry of Food an
SK Hynix (000660.KS) Falls 36%; KB Sees HBM Shortage to 2028
Shares of SK Hynix (000660.KS), the world's second-largest memory-chip maker and the leading supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM, the stacked DRAM that feeds
Samsung (005930.KS) Cuts Foldable Perk as Memory Costs Bite
Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), the world's largest maker of both smartphones and memory chips, is quietly scaling back one of its most popular pre-order incen
Hyundai Motor Workers Walk Out Over Wages and AI Job Fears as Three-Day Partial Strike Begins
Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) workers launched a three-day partial strike on July 13 after 15 rounds of wage negotiations failed. The four-hours-per-day walkout threatens ₩200B in revenue and comes amid union anxiety over AI-driven automation at Hyundai's U.S. plants.
Celltrion Halts EU Keytruda Biosimilar Trial and Trims FDA Study to 220 Patients as Global Regulators Ease Phase 3 Rules
Celltrion halted its EU Phase 3 clinical trial for CT-P51 (Keytruda biosimilar) on July 14 and reduced its FDA trial enrollment from 606 to 220 patients, responding to global regulatory shifts that allow biosimilar approvals with smaller or no Phase 3 data.
SKHY ADR Premium Swings From 3% to 26% in First Week: What Investors Must Know
SK Hynix SKHY ADR premium spiked to 25.6% during Seoul's 15.4% crash on July 13, settling at 16% by July 14 close. How the premium works and what it means for US investors.
Samsung Reclaims Global Smartphone No. 1 in Q2 2026 as AI Strategy Delivers; ADR Listing Ruled Out
Samsung Electronics reclaimed global smartphone No. 1 in Q2 2026 with 24% market share, ahead of Apple at 20%, as global shipments fell 11% — worst Q2 since 2013. Samsung denied Bloomberg's report of a US ADR listing.
Hanmi Semiconductor Posts Founding-High Q2 Profit as HBM4 TC Bonder Orders Surge
Hanmi Semiconductor (042700.KQ) disclosed record Q2 2026 revenue of ₩251.1B (+39.5% YoY) and operating profit of ₩130.3B (+51.0%), with OPM hitting 51.9% — its highest ever. HBM4 TC bonder and MSVP orders drove the beat; a 2nd-gen Hybrid Bonder prototype is due Q4 2026.
Samsung SDI (006400.KS) Wins World-First UL Indoor Fire Test
Samsung SDI (006400.KS), the battery arm of the Samsung group and one of Korea's three major lithium-ion cell makers alongside LG Energy Solution and SK On, said on July 14 that its UPS battery became the world's first to pass UL Solutions' Indoor Large-Scale Fire Test, a new safety certification increasingly required for AI data-center battery procurement.
Samsung Grants ₩322.8B Treasury Stock to 928 Executives as Long-Term Pay
Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), the world's largest memory-chip and smartphone maker, disclosed on July 13 that it will dispose of 1,132,477 common treasury shares worth roughly ₩64.6 billion ($47 million) to 928 executives as long-term performance pay.
SK Hynix Open to Joint Venture for Honam Fab as Korea Eases Holding Company Rules
South Korea is amending its Fair Trade Act to allow holding company subsidiaries to accept minority outside investors in non-capital-region advanced-tech fabs. SK Hynix signalled openness to a JV for its Honam fab, potentially reducing tens of trillions of won in self-funding burden. Legislative target: September 2026.
Fidelity and BlackRock Quietly Cut Korea Chip Stakes as AI Cycle-Peak Debate Sends KOSPI Down 9%
Fidelity International and BlackRock have trimmed Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and TSMC positions as AI-cycle peak concerns mount. SK Hynix fell a record 15.4% in Seoul as its Nasdaq ADR dropped 9.3% on day two, while the KOSPI tumbled ~9% — now 25%+ below its June 22 all-time high.
Korean Shipbuilders on Course for Record ₩10 Trillion Year as LNG Carrier Profits Surge
Korea's three major shipbuilders are on track for a combined Q2 2026 operating profit of ₩2.33 trillion (+52.5% YoY), driven by LNG carrier deliveries from the 2022-2024 upcycle. Full-year consensus points to ₩9.04 trillion with upside to ₩10 trillion.
SK Hynix's Nasdaq Triumph Backfires in Seoul: 15% Crash Triggers Circuit Breaker as KOSPI Falls 9%
SK Hynix fell a record 15.4% in Seoul on July 13, 2026, triggering both a sidecar and full KOSPI circuit breaker, as the ADR dual-listing premium drove sell-the-news selling. SKHY Nasdaq ADRs dropped 9.3% on day two; US memory peers fell 6%+.
How to Buy Korean Stocks as a Foreign Investor (2026 Complete Guide)
Three routes to Korean stocks in 2026: ETF (EWY), US ADRs (SKHY, PKX, KB), or direct KRX via Interactive Brokers. Covers dividend tax rates, fees, and account setup.
TSMC June Revenue +68%: Samsung, SK Hynix Face July 16 Test
TSMC (TSM; Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world's largest contract chip manufacturer) reported record June revenue of NT$442.68 billion (about US$14.6 billion), up 67.9% from a year earlier and 6.2% above the previous monthly record set in May, according to the company's monthly disclosure as reported by Chosun Biz and CNBC.
Samsung's Largest Union Says 84% of Members Oppose Honam ₩40 Trillion Fab, Calls for Tripartite Talks
Samsung's largest union released survey results showing 84% of members oppose the government-backed \u20a940 trillion Honam semiconductor fab, citing forced transfers, work hour contradictions, and internal management reluctance.
KakaoPay Securities Secures Investment Dealing License, Poised to Challenge Korea's IPO Underwriting Hierarchy
KakaoPay Securities (377300.KS subsidiary) secures FSC investment dealing licence on July 1 2026, enabling IPO underwriting and full securities dealing for the first time. Deposits exceed ₩20T, 500K+ RIA accounts.
Korea's Courts Are Rewriting Platform Antitrust Rules — And Coupang Holds the Biggest Liability
Korea's courts are carving out a rationality-based antitrust standard for platform algorithms, diverging from EU's DMA. Naver won a partial Supreme Court reversal, KakaoMobility's ₩27.1B fine was overturned, but Coupang faces ₩162.8B in pending liability at Seoul High Court.
Bank of Korea Pushes Back on Peak-Out Fears: AI Chip Upcycle Has 'Considerable Period' to Run
The Bank of Korea submitted analysis to the National Assembly on July 13, 2026, defending the AI semiconductor upcycle. Central bank cites HBM supply constraints limiting capacity expansion, with JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley forecasting robust global semiconductor markets through 2027+. Context: Samsung -9%, SK Hynix -15% in recent sessions despite record Q2 earnings. KOSPI forward P/E near 6.8x — GFC-level discount.
Samsung Pulls Forward Yongin Chip Hub's First Fab to 2029, Racing to Meet AI Demand
Samsung Electronics is accelerating the opening of its first Yongin fabrication plant to 2029, one to two years earlier than planned, to capitalize on surging AI chip demand.
Tesla and BYD Claim One-in-Four Korean Car Sales as Import Share Tops 25% for the First Time
South Korea's import car market crossed 25% share for the first time in H1 2026, driven by Tesla (+192% YoY to 56,139 units) and BYD's market debut, raising structural pressure on Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Kia (000270.KS) in their home market.
KOSPI Circuit Breakers & Sidecar Rules: Complete 2026 Guide
Complete guide to KOSPI circuit breakers (−8%/−15%/−20%) and sidecars (±5% futures). Includes all 2026 activations and comparison to U.S. rules.
Hoban Closes to Record 0.42-Point Gap in Hanjin KAL as Proxy Battle Heats Up
Hoban Group bought 1.13 million Hanjin KAL shares on July 11, lifting its stake to 20.15% vs. Walter Cho's 20.57% — the slimmest margin on record. With Delta Air Lines and Korea Development Bank backing Cho at ~46%, full control remains out of reach. But the NPS at 5.46% could be decisive if Hoban escalates to a formal proxy contest.
Bank of Korea July Preview: First Rate Hike Since 2023 Expected on July 16
The Bank of Korea meets July 16 with consensus for a 25bp hike to 2.75% — the first increase since January 2023. What it means for the won, banks, and the SKHY premium.
SK Hynix (SKHY) Options Start Trading This Week: What US Investors Should Know
SKHY options are expected to start trading around July 14. The ADR's ~15% premium to Seoul shares, unresolved conversion rules, and what US investors should watch.
EcoPro BM Completes Global Roadshow to Defend KRW 1.2T Rights Offering, Reveals Two-Phase Indonesia Nickel Plan Covering 1.5 Million EVs
EcoPro BM wrapped a seven-day global investor roadshow defending its KRW 1.2T rights offering with a two-phase Indonesia nickel strategy that secures 65,000 t/y — enough for 1.5 million EVs — via an existing Sulawesi smelter license that Indonesia has since frozen to new entrants.
Shinhan (055550.KS) Chair Flies to London With Value-Up Plan
Shinhan Financial Group (055550.KS), one of South Korea's four largest financial holding companies, sent the chair of its board of directors—not its chief execu
CXMT's DRAM Share Triples to 8% as Apple Weighs China-Sold iPhone Deal — Samsung and SK Hynix's Commodity Edge Faces New Test
China's CXMT grew its global DRAM market share from 3% to 8% in Q1 2026 while Apple reportedly evaluates CXMT chips for China-sold iPhones. Samsung and SK Hynix are accelerating KRW 400 trillion Gwangju fab investments, but new capacity won't arrive until H2 2027.
KB Financial (105560.KS) Maps AI-Led 2027-2029 Strategy
KB Financial Group (105560.KS), Korea's most profitable financial holding company — 2025 net profit of KRW 5.84 trillion (approximately USD 4.26 billion) — used
Samsung (005930.KS) ₩46T HBM Plant Clears Fast-Track Permit
Asan City, a manufacturing hub in South Chungcheong province about 90 km south of Seoul, said this week it has opened fast-track permitting for Samsung Electron
Hanwha Pushes KAI Stake to 12.4% With ₩500 Billion Top-Up, Reviving Debate Over Korea's Only Fighter Jet Maker
Hanwha Group raised its KAI stake to 12.44% with a ₩500 billion purchase on July 8, extending a systematic accumulation that began in November 2025 and reigniting debate over privatization of Korea's sole integrated aircraft manufacturer, which posted record Q1 revenue of ₩1.09 trillion.
Korea's Financial Giants Enter Crypto as Mirae Asset Clears Korbit Deal While Naver-Dunamu Tie-Up Stalls
Korea's FTC approved Mirae Asset Consulting's ₩133.5B (92.06%) acquisition of Korbit on July 9, marking Korea's first financial conglomerate takeover of a licensed crypto exchange. Meanwhile, Naver Financial's ₩15.1T deal for Upbit operator Dunamu has been pushed to a December 31 deadline amid antitrust and regulatory uncertainty.
TPG Wins Exclusive Bid for Lotte Rental Stake as Global PE Firms Circle Korea's Rental Car Market
TPG has won exclusive due diligence rights for a 61.21% controlling stake in Lotte Rental (089860.KS), Korea's second-largest car rental company, at over KRW 1 trillion (~USD 662 million). The deal beat out KKR, Carlyle, EQT, and Bain Capital. Affinity Equity Partners was blocked by the FTC due to its existing ownership of SK Rent-a-Car.
Korea Pivots Back to LNG as AI Chip Clusters Create 6.3 GW Electricity Gap
South Korea is reversing course on natural gas policy, potentially raising LNG's share of the power mix to meet the 6.3 GW electricity demand from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's planned semiconductor cluster. KOGAS and KEPCO are the primary listed beneficiaries of the policy shift.
BGF Retail Posts Best Q1 Operating Profit in Five Years as CU Convenience Fee Margins Recover
BGF Retail (282330.KS), operator of Korea largest convenience store chain CU, posted Q1 2026 operating profit of KRW 38.1 billion, up 68.6% year-on-year, on revenue of KRW 2,120.4 billion. Net income more than doubled to KRW 29.3 billion, a 119% increase.
HLB's Liver Cancer Combo Hits Third FDA Roadblock as China Partner's Plant Fails Inspection
HLB Inc. receives its third FDA complete response letter for the rivoceranib-camrelizumab combination in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The rejection again cites manufacturing deficiencies at partner Hengrui Pharma's China facility, not clinical efficacy. HLB stock plunged to the daily lower limit of KRW 36,600 (-29.89%), with all HLB Group stocks hitting daily limits on Korean exchanges.
KakaoBank Signs Strategic Stake in Mongolia's M Bank to Export AI Credit Model
KakaoBank CEO Yoon Ho-young signed a strategic equity stake with MCS Group and M Bank at the Korea-Mongolia Business Forum, marking the bank's first overseas equity investment and beginning its AI credit-scoring technology export.
Three Korean IT Giants Form First-Ever Unions in One Week as Bonus Gap With Chip Divisions Widens
Samsung SDS, Hyundai AutoEver, and Shinsegae I&C formed their first-ever unions in one week (July 6–8, 2026), driven by the widening bonus gap with chip-division peers at Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
Hanwha Qcells Builds America's Largest Renewable Complex — 2.8 GW Solar and 5.7 GWh Storage in Arizona
Hanwha Qcells is executing engineering, procurement, and construction for all 14 projects within Atlas Energy Park in Arizona — the US's largest renewable energy complex at 2.8 GW solar and 5.7 GWh storage, with LG Energy Solution supplying 4.8 GWh of batteries by October 2026.
SK Hynix (SKHY) $26.5B ADR Debut Surges 14% on Nasdaq
SK Hynix, the world's second-largest memory chipmaker behind Samsung Electronics, made its U.S. market debut on Friday, and the numbers were built for headlines
Lutnick Calls on Samsung and SK Hynix to Build U.S. Memory Factories as Micron Commits $250 Billion
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick publicly called on Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and SK Hynix (000660.KS) to build more memory factories in America, speaking at Micron Technology's $250B US investment ceremony in Clay, New York on July 9. The statement creates fresh policy pressure on Korean chipmakers already committed to a combined ₩895T domestic semiconductor buildout.
Samsung SDI (006400.KS) Wins 66% of Korea's AI Grid-ESS
South Korea on July 10 awarded its first government-backed grid-ESS project — 640 MWh across 32 distribution lines — with Samsung SDI (006400.KS), Korea's prism
Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) Union Fights Voucher Bill
Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), the world's largest memory-chip maker, saw its biggest labor union—representing roughly 73,000 members, or about 57 percent of
Hyundai Motor Opens Korea's First Waste-to-Hydrogen Facility, Turning Sewage Sludge Into Fuel for 100 Cars a Day
Hyundai Motor Group opened HTWO Energy Cheongju on July 9, 2026 — Korea's first waste-to-hydrogen facility, producing 500 kg/day of clean hydrogen from municipal sewage sludge, with a 2030 target of 2 metric tons/day.
SK Hynix (000660.KS) Prices $26.5B Record Nasdaq ADR Debut
SK Hynix (000660.KS), the world's second-largest memory-chip maker and the dominant supplier of AI high-bandwidth memory, has priced its US share sale at $149 p
KakaoBank (323410.KS) Wage Talks Collapse, Strike Risk Rises
KakaoBank (323410.KS), Korea's largest internet-only bank by customer count, saw its 2026 wage and collective-bargaining negotiations break down after talks tha
Korea Claims No. 2 FDA Biosimilar Slot as Samsung Biologics' $280M U.S. Plant Anchors Next Growth Phase
Korea holds 19 FDA biosimilar approvals (No. 2 globally). Samsung Biologics completes $280M GSK Rockville acquisition, raising total CDMO capacity to 845,000L. H1 2026 saw 6 new approvals vs 18 in 2025.
Samsung (005930.KS) MX Unit Eyes First-Ever Quarterly Loss
Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) flashed preliminary second-quarter earnings guidance showing record group results this week — and brokerages now say the same me
KakaoPay (377300.KS) HQ Raided Over Alipay Data Transfer
South Korean police searched the headquarters of KakaoPay (KRX: 377300), the country's largest mobile-payment platform and an affiliate of messaging giant Kakao