Samsung (005930.KS), SK Hynix Drop Mattson Ahead of US Curbs
Samsung (005930.KS), SK Hynix Drop Mattson Ahead of US Curbs
Celltrion (068270.KS): Q2 Op Profit Up 77%, Shares Down 20%
Celltrion (068270.KS), South Korea's largest biosimilar maker, reported preliminary second-quarter 2026 results on July 3 showing operating profit up 77.3% to ₩
Korea Opens Won Market to Near-24-Hour Trading on July 7, Targeting Structural NDF Reliance
Korea extends KRW spot-trading to near-24 hours from July 7, targeting 80% NDF dominance. Impact on KOSPI foreign investors, bank FX dealers, and won volatility analysed.
Samsung SDI (006400.KS) Converts Idle EV Lines to Storage
Samsung SDI (006400.KS), South Korea's second-largest battery maker, is converting stalled and underused electric-vehicle battery lines in the United States and
SK Telecom Targets 15 GW AI Data Center Capacity by 2035, Partners AWS and Nvidia
South Korea's largest carrier plans 15 GW of AI compute capacity by 2035, anchored by an AWS hyperscale facility in Ulsan. SK Group affiliates including SK Hynix will supply chips across the value chain.
LG Chem Enters Semiconductor Stripper Market With Amkor Technology Deal, Eyes KRW 2 Trillion Materials Revenue
LG Chem entered the semiconductor stripper market on July 5, announcing a mass-production supply deal with Amkor Technology. The customized stripper cuts photoresist removal time by 50% and supports the company's target to double electronic materials revenue to KRW 2 trillion by 2030.
Bank of Korea Flags KOSPI Concentration Risk as Samsung and SK Hynix ETFs Surge — While 'Chipflation' Hits Consumer Wallets
Bank of Korea warns Samsung and SK Hynix ETF concentration has reached 55.3% of KOSPI market cap, while chipflation pushes storage device prices up 45.6% year-on-year — highest among 458 CPI basket items.
Korean Won Logs Second-Worst H1 Since 1998 as Foreign Investors Unload ₩156 Trillion in KOSPI Shares
The Korean won fell 5.92% in H1 2026, posting its second-worst first-half average since the 1998 Asian financial crisis. Foreign investors sold ₩156.56 trillion in KOSPI shares, more than 4.5 times the full-year 2008 total.
Korea's Fake News Law Takes Effect July 7: Kakao and Naver Face New Platform Liability Rules
South Korea's revised Information and Communications Network Act takes effect July 7, 2026, exposing Kakao (035720.KS) and Naver to punitive damages and CEO liability for content moderation failures.
Samsung (005930.KS), SK Hynix Rise 8–11% as Kospi Tops 8,000
South Korea's chip duo staged one of the sharpest reversals of the year on Friday, July 3, and the pattern of the move matters more than its size. The Kospi (Ko
Seoul Court Terminates Homeplus Rehabilitation, Korea's No. 2 Hypermarket Faces Liquidation
Seoul Bankruptcy Court terminated Homeplus' rehabilitation proceedings on July 3 after the MBK Partners-owned retailer failed to raise KRW 200B in operating capital. With a 14-day appeal window, Korea's second-largest hypermarket faces liquidation — with implications for E-Mart, Lotte Shopping, and Meritz Financial.
Samsung Targets Third Straight DRAM Price Hike in Q3, Seeking Up to 20% Rise After 90% Jump in Q1
Samsung Electronics is seeking a 20% DRAM price hike for Q3 2026, marking the third consecutive quarter of double-digit increases after +90% in Q1 and +50-60% in Q2, with TrendForce projecting 13-18% actual gains.
LG Energy Solution Locks In Humanoid Battery Contracts With Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Figure AI
LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) confirms battery supply deals with Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Figure AI for humanoid robots, betting on high-nickel ternary chemistry to outpace Chinese LFP rivals.
SK Hynix Weighs Record $29B Nasdaq ADR as July 10 Debut Nears
SK Hynix targets up to $29B in Nasdaq ADRs (largest ADR ever), with July 10 trading start and BofA/GS/Citi/JPM as underwriters. Proceeds earmarked for Yongin fab and Cheongju P&T7 packaging plant.
Hanwha, Hyundai Pledge Combined KRW 97 Trillion to Transform Yeongnam Into Defense-Aerospace Hub
Hanwha Group and Hyundai Motor Group pledged a combined KRW 97 trillion for the Yeongnam region, with Hanwha focusing on space sovereignty via launch vehicles and satellites, and Hyundai on next-generation EVs and clean energy.
₩350T Q2 Memory Surge: Samsung (005930.KS), SK Hynix Records
The global memory-chip market is on track to approach ₩350 trillion ($254 billion) in the second quarter of 2026, a figure that sets up record earnings for Kore
Verizon's $3.2B Spectrum Sweep Puts Samsung's 5G Network Unit Back in Focus
Verizon won 91% of the FCC's first spectrum auction in four years, committing USD 3.2 billion for mid-band capacity. Samsung Electronics, Verizon's primary 5G network-equipment partner under a ₩7.9 trillion supply contract, stands to benefit as US regulators bar Chinese-made telecom components.
Samsung (005930.KS) Pledges ₩60T for Korea Physical AI Hub
Samsung on July 3 pledged to invest ₩60 trillion ($43.8 billion) in the Yeongnam region — the industrial belt of southeastern Korea centered on Busan, Ulsan and
KOSPI Whipsaws to 5.8% as Funds Catch Samsung, SK Hynix Dip
South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index staged one of its wildest sessions of the year on Friday, July 3, swinging from a 3.5% intraday plunge to a sharp "V-shaped"
Hanmi Science (008930.KS) Heir Stake Tips Family Past Shin
The younger son of Hanmi's founding family has sold a 2.5% stake — roughly ₩82.07 billion ($59.9 million) worth of shares — to a fund aligned with his mother an
Daewoo E&C Returns to US Real Estate After 20-Year Hiatus With $291M New Jersey Project
South Korea's Daewoo E&C returns to US real estate after a 20-year absence with a $291 million investment in Palisades Park, New Jersey, partnering with Tamares Group on an 18-story, 540-unit residential complex through its US unit DUSAI.
KB Financial (105560.KS) Narrows Chairman Race to Six
KB Financial Group (105560.KS), South Korea's largest financial holding company by market value, narrowed its chairman succession field to six candidates on Jul
Hyundai and Kia Post Record 920,383 H1 US Sales as Hybrids Surge 65.5%, EVs Drop
Hyundai Motor and Kia delivered 920,383 vehicles in H1 2026, setting a new record as hybrid sales surged 65.5% YoY while EV deliveries fell 9.7%.
Samsung, SK Hynix and Celltrion Pledge KRW 392 Trillion to Chungcheong in Korea's 'Second Tokyo Declaration'
Samsung, SK Hynix CEO Kwak No-jeong and Celltrion commit KRW 392 trillion to Chungcheong as President Lee calls it Korea's 'second Tokyo Declaration.' Anthropic also eyes Samsung 2nm foundry.
LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) Ohio EV Plant Pivots to ESS
A $3.5 billion battery plant that Honda and LG Energy Solution broke ground on to build electric-vehicle cells has instead started churning out cells for the po
Celltrion (068270.KS) Q2: Margin 33%, Record ₩430B Profit
Celltrion (068270.KS), Korea's largest biosimilar maker, said its second-quarter operating margin leapt to roughly 33% — the sharpest profitability move in the
KOSPI Sinks 7.9% as 'Meta Shock' Routs Korean Chip Stocks
KOSPI plunged 7.89% to 7,648.09 on July 2, 2026 as Meta's AI cloud plans sparked fears of AI compute overcapacity, sending SK Hynix down 14.57% and Samsung down 9.06% in a 'Black Thursday' rout.
Seoul and Washington Clash Over ₩624.7B Coupang Fine as US House Labels Korea's Data Enforcement Discriminatory
South Korea's Foreign Ministry and NIS push back against a US House Judiciary Committee report that labels the PIPC's record ₩624.7 billion ($403 million) privacy fine against Coupang as 'discriminatory.' The fine stems from a Chinese-employee data breach exposing 37 million Coupang users.
Google's €4.1B EU Fine Sealed, Samsung (005930.KS) in Focus
On July 2, the Court of Justice of the European Union (the EU's highest court, whose rulings cannot be appealed) dismissed the final challenge from Alphabet's G
Hanmi Pharma (128940.KS) Promotes Obesity, Licensing VPs
Hanmi Group, a Korean pharmaceutical group whose listed drugmaker Hanmi Pharmaceutical (128940.KS) is a KOSPI large-cap, on July 2 promoted six executives in it
SK Hynix Pledges ₩100 Trillion ($64B) for New Memory Capacity
SK Hynix CEO announces ₩100 trillion ($64B) Cheongju investment: ₩80T for NAND fab M17 (2029) and ₩20T for advanced HBM packaging (2027), as KOSPI fell 4.46% on AI capex fears.
Hanmi Semiconductor Chairman Buys ₩5B Stock Before HBM4 Ramp
Hanmi Semiconductor Chairman Kwak Dong-shin adds ₩5B in personal stock purchases, bringing three-year total to ₩69.5B, signaling conviction in TC Bonder demand ahead of HBM4 ramp.
BYD's First Korea Recall Part of 146,505-Vehicle Sweep
South Korea orders 146,505-vehicle recall. BYD faces first-ever Korean recall; Hyundai Tucson leads volume at 54,792 units.
SK Inc. and KKR Form Korea's Largest Renewable Energy Joint Venture, Targeting 10 GW by 2031
SK Inc. and KKR sign a KRW 2 trillion JV to create Korea's largest renewable energy platform at 1.7 GW initial capacity, targeting 10 GW by 2031.
Samsung Reaffirms 1.4nm for 2029, Bets on Ecosystem vs TSMC
Samsung used SAFE Forum 2026 to confirm 1.4nm (SF1.4) mass production for 2029 and reframe its foundry pitch around AI ecosystem partners, not raw pro
Samsung (005930.KS): 1.4nm Node for 2029, Ecosystem Play
Samsung Electronics, Shinhan and 11 Other Korean Firms Join 140-Company OUSD Dollar Stablecoin Consortium
Samsung Electronics, Shinhan Financial Group and 11 other Korean firms join the 140-member Open Standard consortium alongside Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, Coinbase, and BlackRock to co-launch OUSD — a zero-fee B2B dollar stablecoin — before end-2026. Kakao Dunamu, Kakao Bank, KBank, Samsung Card and eight card networks round out Korea's 13 founding participants.
Samsung SDI CEO Targets 2026 Performance Turnaround, Calls for Full 'AI Native' Transformation at 56th Anniversary
Samsung SDI CEO Choi Joo-seon pledged a 2026 performance turnaround and full AI Native transformation at the battery maker's 56th anniversary ceremony in Yongin.
SK Hynix Files Amended Nasdaq F-1, Disclosing KRW 11.94T EUV Equipment Budget Ahead of July 10 Debut
SK Hynix files amended SEC F-1, detailing KRW 11.94T for EUV equipment, KRW 31T for Yongin Y1 fab and KRW 19T for Cheongju HBM plant ahead of July 10 Nasdaq debut.
KB Financial Deploys KRW 188.5B From Social Fund to 148 Enterprises, Portfolio Revenue Surges Tenfold
KB Financial Group has deployed KRW 188.5 billion from its social investment fund across 148 enterprises, recording tenfold revenue growth for portfolio companies.
South Korea Unveils KRW 896 Trillion Southwest Semiconductor Megaproject as Samsung and SK Anchor Gwangju Cluster
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung unveiled KRW 896T in Samsung and SK pledges for a new Gwangju-centred semiconductor cluster, anchored by Samsung's KRW 400T fab commitment, KRW 17T national AI computing center and SK Group's KRW 470T buildout.
South Korea's KFTC Opens $547 Million Case Against Google Over App Store 'Project Hug'
Korea's Fair Trade Commission formally accuses Google of market abuse via its Games Velocity Program, citing USD 9.1B in affected revenue and a potential USD 547M fine.
SK and KKR Seal 49:51 Renewable Energy JV to Launch Korea's Largest Clean-Power Platform
SK Inc. and KKR finalize a 49:51 joint venture to consolidate South Korea's largest renewable energy platform, targeting 10 GW of capacity by 2031 from a 1.7 GW base.
Lotte Group Nears KRW 1.3 Trillion Sale of Rental Unit to TPG, Igniting Kakao Mobility Merger Speculation
Lotte Group sells 61.18% of Korea's top car-rental firm to TPG at KRW 58,000/share, a 25% discount vs Affinity. TPG may merge it with Kakao Mobility for a KRW 8T mobility platform.
Chip Boom Vaults South Korea Into the $100 Billion Monthly Export Club, Fourth Country in History
South Korea posted USD 102.25 billion in exports in June 2026 — its first time exceeding the USD 100 billion monthly threshold — joining Germany, China, and the US as only the fourth country in history to reach this milestone. Semiconductor exports led at USD 44.8 billion, up 199.5% year-on-year.
BOE Exits Galaxy S27 OLED Bid as Samsung Display Locks In All Flagship Models
BOE halted Galaxy S27 OLED development after Samsung Display lobbied against Chinese supply, keeping all four S27 models on South Korean panels and risking a consumer price hike.
EcoPro BM Prices KRW 1.2 Trillion Rights Issue to Fund Indonesia Nickel Push, Shares Plunge 19%
EcoPro BM launched a KRW 1.2T rights issue to expand its Indonesian nickel smelter stake, triggering a 19% after-hours stock drop on dilution fears.
Kolon Industries Puts PCB Resins and OLED Coatings Up for Sale as Lee Kyu-ho Steers Group Toward AI and Clean-Energy Materials
Kolon Industries is divesting its PCB epoxy-resin and OLED display-coating businesses via a Samjong KPMG process, while retaining its strategically valuable mPPO (AI semiconductor material) unit. Fourth-generation heir Lee Kyu-ho is driving the restructuring amid Kolon Global's high leverage of ~332% debt-to-equity. Q1 2026 operating profit rose 130% YoY to KRW 61.9 billion.
Korea's NPS Faces KRW 20–74 Trillion Rebalancing Sell-Off as KOSPI Hits 8,476
Korea's NPS faces mandatory equity rebalancing of KRW 20–74 trillion starting July 1, as the KOSPI rally near 8,476 has pushed the pension fund's domestic equity ratio to ~30%, above its 28.8% upper band.
Wemade Founder Sells KRW 920 Billion Stake to China-Linked NeoPulse, Handing Mir IP Control to Alibaba-Tied Investor
Wemade (112040.KS) founder Park Kwan-ho is selling his entire 39.33% stake to China-linked NeoPulse for KRW 920B (USD 593M), with the Hong Kong-registered Shengsong Investment affiliate set to become the largest shareholder at 40.25% by October 30, 2026.
Samsung SDI and SK On Gain Edge as Korea Mega-Project Plans Embed KRW 3.4 Trillion in Battery Demand
Samsung SDI and SK On are positioned to capture the bulk of Korea KRW 3.4-4.3 trillion ESS and data-center battery pipeline embedded in the mega-project blueprint, while LG Energy Solution faces capacity constraints.
Korea's Battery Trio Moves Fastest to Claw Back US Tariff Cash as Hyundai Stays on the Sidelines
LG Energy Solution leads Korea's battery makers in reclaiming over KRW 100B from US tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling, while Hyundai Motor stays cautious amid Trump retaliation threats.
KakaoBank FinTech Lab Lands Four Papers at ICLR, ACL and LREC, Staking Out Korea's Bank-Side AI Safety Frontier
KakaoBank's FinTech Research Institute had four financial AI safety papers accepted at ICLR 2026, ACL (with KAIST), and LREC — covering prompt injection defense and a financial-risk AI safety taxonomy.
Samsung Electronics Union Chief Survives Confidence Vote With 87.5% Mandate, Eyes Separate DS Chip Bargaining in 2027
Samsung Electronics' largest union reconfirms chair Choi Seung-ho with 87.5% approval (33,550/38,336 votes), plans to push for DS division as separate bargaining unit in 2027 wage talks.
L&F Signs Pre-IPO Stake in CIS Chemical as Korea's Battery Makers Race to Internalize Critical Mineral Recycling
L&F (066970.KQ) has inked a pre-IPO strategic investment in CIS Chemical, a Korean battery mineral recycling specialist with 20,000 t/year NiCo MHP capacity and proprietary SSX lithium recovery technology, targeting KOSDAQ Q3 2026.
LG Chem Clears FDA Hurdle for LG00313112, a Novel Covalent TP53 Inhibitor for Rare Solid Tumors
LG Chem (051910.KS) won U.S. FDA IND clearance for LG00313112, a first-in-class covalent TP53 Y220C inhibitor licensed from Frontier Medicines, targeting ovarian, lung, and breast cancers in Phase 1/2 trials.
US Consumers File 'Chipflation' Antitrust Suit Against Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron in California Federal Court
US consumers and small businesses have filed a class action antitrust suit against Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron, alleging the DRAM oligopoly coordinated supply cuts — hiding behind the HBM pivot — to drive a 700% price surge in standard memory.
SK Bioscience Q1 2026: CDMO Revenue Surges as IDT Biologika Ramps Up, R&D Spend Triples Operating Loss
SK Bioscience (302440.KS) Q1 2026: Revenue KRW 168.6B (+9.1% YoY), CDMO 75.8% of mix. Operating loss KRW -44.5B triples as R&D hits 35.4% of revenue. IDT Biologika utilization improves to 59.4%.
Samsung's Chip Division Caught Off Guard by Honam Fab Plan, Insiders Warn of Logistics Gaps and Cycle Risk
Samsung DS working-level executives were reportedly blindsided by President Lee's KRW 800 trillion Honam fab announcement. Insiders flag Yongin already stalled 7 months, logistics inefficiency, engineer shortage, and memory cycle timing risk as key concerns.
Foreign Investors Post All-Time KRX Net Sell Record of KRW 7.7 Trillion in Samsung, SK Hynix
Foreign investors offloaded a record KRW 7.7 trillion of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix on June 29, while KOSPI closed just -0.2% as capital rotated into LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and infrastructure stocks.
Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Q1 2026: Solvency Ratio Climbs to 207% as Net Profit Reaches KRW 223 Billion
Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance posted Q1 2026 standalone net profit of KRW 223.3B with K-ICS solvency ratio reaching 207.2%, while FY2025 consolidated profit rose 19.9% YoY to KRW 1.02T.
IMM Private Equity Acquires CGBio for KRW 1.1 Trillion, Backed by USD 1.6 Billion J&J Novosis Contract Through 2040
IMM Private Equity acquires 51% of CGBio for KRW 561B, valuing the Korean regenerative medicine company at KRW 1.1 trillion, underpinned by a USD 1.6B J&J DePuy Synthes distribution contract through 2040.
Lee Jae-yong Maps Samsung's Four-City Blueprint: Songdo for Bio, Gwangju for Chips, Gumi for Robots, Ulsan for Batteries
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong unveiled a four-sector, four-city industrial roadmap on Sunday, designating Incheon's Songdo district as what he called "the world's largest bio cluster" whil
Samsung Group Backs 6,700 Partners With KRW 3.5 Trillion Mutual-Growth Fund as 12 Affiliates Sign Pact
Samsung Group's 12 affiliates committed a combined KRW 3.5 trillion fund for roughly 6,700 supply-chain partners, guaranteeing faster payment terms and cost-sharing as South Korea's FTC calls supplier
Hyundai Elevator Q1 2026: Revenue Falls 8.2% as Korea Construction Slump Deepens
Hyundai Elevator (017800.KS) reported Q1 2026 consolidated revenue of KRW 545.8B (-8.2% YoY) and operating income of KRW 40.5B (-16.3%), with operating margin shrinking 70 bps to 7.4%. Net income fell 22.4% to KRW 27.1B. Korea elevator installations fell 26% in 2025, pressuring new-unit demand. The company maintains a KRW 2.24T order backlog and is expanding globally with its modular ENOBLOC installation system.
Kiwoom Securities in Exclusive Talks to Acquire Bithumb Stake as Korean Brokers Race for Crypto Foothold
Kiwoom Securities is negotiating to acquire a stake in Bithumb through a third-party share issuance, joining Samsung Securities and Mirae Asset in Korea's broker–crypto exchange consolidation race.
Kakao Workers Stage Full-Day Walkout as Bonus Dispute Deepens, Shares at 52-Week Low
Kakao union stages full-day walkout with about 2,100 participants across five entities, escalating a bonus dispute as shares sit at a 52-week low despite record profits.
Binance Offers 50x Leverage on Samsung and SK Hynix Stocks, Bypassing Korea's Retail Safeguards
Binance lists 50x leveraged derivatives on Samsung, SK Hynix, and Hyundai Motor stocks, drawing USD 6.42B in volume while Korea's domestic leverage cap sits at 2x for retail investors.
Kangwon Land Q1 2026: Casino Revenue Up 4.5%, Net Profit Dives 47% on Cost Surge and Lower Returns
Korea's only domestic casino posted Q1 2026 revenue of KRW 378.9B (+3.4% YoY) but net profit fell 46.8% to KRW 39.7B as SG&A expenses jumped 17.6% and investment income contracted 30.4%.
Apple Lobbies Trump for CXMT Memory Clearance, Putting SK Hynix and Samsung Pricing Power at Risk
Apple is pressing the Trump administration to allow DRAM purchases from China's CXMT, a DoD-blacklisted chipmaker. The move could erode pricing leverage held by SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics in the global memory market.
LG Chem Passes Government Naphtha Relief to SME Customers, Cutting Supply Prices Up to KRW 200,000 Per Ton
LG Chem CEO Kim Dong-chun announces a temporary KRW 100,000–200,000 per tonne price cut for small and medium-sized customers, passing on a government naphtha subsidy to ease downstream cost pressures.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics in Talks for KRW 500B AI MLCC Deal, Inks Glass Substrate JV With Sumitomo Chemical
Samsung Electro-Mechanics finalizes KRW 500 billion AI server MLCC supply talks with a US cloud provider while launching a glass substrate joint venture with Sumitomo Chemical to begin production at Pyeongtaek in early 2027.
Shinhan Financial Weighs Lotte Non-Life Insurance Buyout at KRW 1 Trillion as JKL Cuts Ask in Half
Shinhan Financial Group reviews acquisition of Lotte Non-Life Insurance at KRW 1 trillion as JKL Partners halves asking price, sending shares to the daily upper limit of +30%.
Samsung and SK Group Pledge Up to KRW 1,000 Trillion as President Lee Unveils Korea's Tripolar Mega-Project Plan
South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung on Sunday formally unveiled the country's largest-ever private-sector investment programme, anchored by Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and SK Group (000660.KS), at a nationally televised ceremony that put two of Asia's most powerful corporate chairmen on stage
Hyundai Mobis and HL Mando Break Into Atlas Supply Chain as Korea Eyes 25,000-Robot Deployment by 2028
Hyundai Mobis (012330.KS) secures Atlas actuator supply role while HL Mando (204320.KS) targets Boston Dynamics and Tesla Optimus, as Hyundai plans 25,000-unit robot deployment by 2028.
Samsung and SK Hynix Set for 'Unprecedented' South Jeolla Chip Cluster as Regional Stocks Hit 30% Limits
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are set to reveal an unprecedented semiconductor investment in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, sending regional stocks to 30% daily limits.
Kakao (035720.KS) Workers Strike June 29 Over Bonus Standoff
LG Group's Eight-Year Reset: Koo Kwang-mo Steers KRW 100 Trillion AI-Bio-Clean Bet Through 2028
LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo pledges KRW 100 trillion in Korea investment through 2028 under the ABC strategy (AI, Bio, Clean Tech). Q1 2026 combined revenue hit a record KRW 29.26 trillion as the group's portfolio overhaul enters its eighth year.
Samsung Biologics (207940.KS) Union Quits Group Coalition
HD Hyundai Electric Opens KRW 116B Cheongju Distribution Hub as AI Data-Center Demand Lifts Circuit-Breaker Orders
HD Hyundai Electric's KRW 116.1B Cheongju campus boosts circuit-breaker capacity 70% to 8.5M units annually, with AI data-center demand cited as the key driver.
Samsung SDI (006400.KS) in Samsung's Record Investment Push
Shinhan (055550.KS) Embeds AI Into Group Compliance System
LG Display (034220.KS) Eyes OLED Rebound After Q2 Loss
Hyundai Unveils 8th-Gen Avante With Gleo AI and Naver Integration, Sets Q3 Order Launch as Pleos Connect Expands to Second Model
Hyundai Motor's 8th-gen Avante debuts Gleo AI and Naver integration via Pleos Connect at Busan Mobility Show, with a larger cabin and 26hp engine boost. Orders begin Q3 2026.
GM Korea (NYSE: GM): 86.5% Strike Vote, 85% Output US-Bound
SK Hynix Sets July 10 Nasdaq Debut, Aiming to Raise Up to $29 Billion in Record ADR Sale
Naver Opens AI Tab to 50 Million Daily Users, Aims to Turn Search Into a Transaction Layer
Naver (035420.KS) rolls out HyperClova X-powered AI Tab to all 50M daily users after 4M-user beta. Product card CTR hit 20%+; real estate and health agents planned for H2 2026.
UK Backs Hanwha Ocean (042660.KS) in $43B Submarine Race
Ecopro BM (247540.KQ) $341M Bond Put Looms; LG Chem PRS Eyed
onsemi's $7B Synaptics Deal Reshapes Edge-AI Chips for Korea
Apple Presses White House for CXMT Chip Clearance, Posing First Competitive Threat to Samsung and SK Hynix's Apple Account
Apple is lobbying the Trump administration for assurances that China's CXMT will not be added to the Entity List, a move that would open the door for Chinese DRAM in Apple devices and challenge Samsung (005930.KS) and SK Hynix (000660.KS), which together control ~70% of global DRAM supply. Memory prices have quadrupled over three quarters, prompting Apple to raise product prices by USD 100–500.
Hanwha Vision Q1 2026: Operating Profit Falls 55% as Bundang HQ Acquisition Adds KRW 308B in New Debt
Hanwha Vision (489790.KS) reported Q1 2026 operating profit of KRW 22.1B, down 55.3% YoY, as a KRW 307.9B Bundang headquarters acquisition added heavy non-cash financial charges and industrial equipment losses widened.
Samsung Biologics Unveils Four Drug Delivery Platforms at BIO USA 2026, Targeting Technology Licensing as New Revenue Pillar
Samsung Biologics presented four proprietary drug delivery platforms at BIO USA 2026, signaling a push into technology licensing to diversify revenue beyond contract manufacturing.
LG Innotek Eyes Record H2 as AI Substrate Revenue Poised to Surge 14x by 2030, KB Securities Maintains KRW 2M Target
KB Securities maintains BUY on LG Innotek with KRW 2M target as AI substrate FC-BGA revenue is set to grow 14-fold to KRW 2T by 2030; Q2 2026 operating profit forecast at KRW 202.8B, 18x year-over-year.
BYD Launches Korea's First PHEV at KRW 37.5 Million, Challenging Hyundai and Kia at Busan Mobility Show
BYD Korea unveiled the Sealion 6 DM-i plug-in hybrid at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show on Thursday, marking its first PHEV launch in Korea at KRW 37.5 million — a direct price challenge to Hyundai Motor and Kia's dominant mid-size SUV lineup.
Second Worker Dies at S-Oil's USD 7B Shaheen Site as Soil Collapse Strikes Hyundai E&C Package
A soil collapse killed one worker at Hyundai E&C's package at S-Oil's KRW 9.3 trillion Shaheen ethylene complex in Ulsan, the second fatality at the site in 31 days.
Samsung and Korea Grid Operator Sign Nation's First Carbon-Free Electricity Certification for Semiconductor Factories
Samsung Electronics and Korea Power Exchange ink Korea's first carbon-free electricity certification for semiconductor factories, targeting AI-era supply chain ESG requirements.
Hyundai Motor and KAI Restart South Korea's eVTOL Race After Supernal Pause, Target 2034 Commercial Launch
Hyundai Motor Group (005380.KS) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI, 047810.KS) sign MoU to jointly develop eVTOL aircraft, reviving the stalled Supernal program with a new 2034 commercial target after a September 2025 pause and 80% workforce cut.
Hyosung Corp Posts 15.6% Operating Profit Jump in Q1 2026 as IT and Pump Units Surge
Hyosung Corporation (004800.KS) Q1 2026 operating profit rose 15.6% YoY to KRW 94.6B despite a 4.3% revenue decline, as IT/ATM and pump manufacturing margins expanded sharply.
Hanmi Semiconductor Targets TSMC Supply Chain With FC Bonder 3.5, Breaking Into AI Chip Foundry Market
Hanmi Semiconductor (042700.KQ) launched FC Bonder 3.5 for 2.5D AI chip packaging, targeting global foundries and OSATs with 340mm substrate support.
Seoul Extends Electricity and Gas Rate Freeze Through Year-End, Deepening KEPCO's KRW 206 Trillion Debt Trap
South Korea freezes electricity and gas rates for H2 2026, extending KEPCO and Korea Gas Corporation cost recovery delays as the government prioritizes inflation control.
Douzone Bizon Posts 62% Operating Income Jump in Q1 2026 as AI-ERP Strategy Pays Off
Douzone Bizon (012510.KS) Q1 2026: revenue KRW 116.6B (+18.2% YoY), operating income KRW 35.0B (+62.2%), net income KRW 22.8B (+90.1%). AI-ERP strategy and Jeju Bank entry.
South Korea Logs First-Ever 10 Million Foreign Arrivals in H1 2026, Monthly Tourist Card Spending Hits USD 1.3 Billion Record
South Korea welcomed over 10 million foreign visitors by June 20, 2026—the first time ever before mid-year. Monthly card spending hit USD 1.3B (+47%), with KCTI forecasting 22 million full-year arrivals.
Kakao Union Sets June 29 'Log-Out Day' as Full Work Stoppage, Wage Talks Still Stalled
Kakao Corp's union will proceed with a full-day work stoppage on June 29 across five group entities, as wage negotiations remain deadlocked after the company's first-ever strike on June 10.
KB Financial Posts 11.5% Profit Surge in Q1 2026 as Fee Income Jumps 45%
KB Financial Group Q1 2026 net profit rose 11.5% YoY to KRW 1.89 trillion, with fee income surging 45.5%. KB Securities net profit nearly doubled. CET1 at 14.93%, KRW 600B buyback approved.
KRX Puts Brakes on Weekly Options for Samsung, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution as KOSPI Volatility Forces Rethink
South Korea's Korea Exchange indefinitely postpones the June 29 launch of weekly single-stock options for Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, and LG Energy Solution amid a 10% KOSPI decline and USD 13.2 billion in foreign outflows.
LS GreenLink Breaks Ground on World's Tallest Submarine Cable Tower in Virginia, Targeting AI-Driven Power Grid Market
LS Cable & System unit LS GreenLink breaks ground on a 201-meter VCV tower in Chesapeake, Virginia — set to become the US largest submarine cable plant, targeting AI data center power demand by 2028.
Boston Dynamics Commits USD 100M to Waltham Robotics Campus, Putting 1,250 Jobs and Atlas Mass Production on Track for Hyundai Factories
Hyundai Motor Group subsidiary Boston Dynamics is investing USD 100M in a 323,000 sq ft campus in Waltham, MA, targeting 1,250 new jobs by 2033 and Atlas humanoid robot mass production for 25,000-unit Hyundai factory deployments from 2028. Massachusetts awarded a USD 25M EDIP grant. HL Mando (204320.KS) and Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) are key listed proxies.
Korea's KRW 1,100 Trillion Pension Giant Faces USD 43.5 Billion Selling Overhang as KOSPI Rally Breaches Domestic Equity Cap
South Korea's National Pension Service sold USD 920M in four days and may need to offload up to USD 43.5B more as the KOSPI's 94% rally pushed domestic equity weight above 30%, breaching a 28.8% ceiling before the June 30 grace-period deadline.
Korea's 'Korea Discount' Cure Freezes IPO Market: HD Hyundai, LS, SK Ecoplant Shelve USD 6 Billion in Listings as Dual-Listing Rules Stall
South Korea's dual-listing ban has paralysed the KOSPI IPO pipeline — 2026 H1 fundraising collapsed 91% to USD 700M as HD Hyundai Robotics (USD 5.4B), SK Ecoplant, and LS Group shelve major listing plans.
KCC Corporation Q1 2026: Net Income Surges 393% to KRW 217B as Investment Gains Overshadow Flat Revenue and Declining Operating Profit
KCC Corporation (002380.KS) reports Q1 2026 net income of KRW 217 billion, up 393% year-on-year, driven by KRW 562 billion in financial income from its Momentive Global investment, while operating profit fell 14.8% on rising SG&A costs.
GS Group Enters 1.2 GW AI Data Center Race, Leverages Power-Plant Co-Location to Challenge Tech-First Rivals
GS Group is in talks with the South Korean government to build two 1.2-gigawatt AI data centers, leveraging its power generation and construction arms for a vertically integrated push.
Celltrion Remsima SC Commands 31% EU5 Market Share as Phase 3 Crohn's Data Affirms 44-Week Efficacy
Celltrion presented 44-week Remsima SC Phase 3 Crohn's data at AOCC&IMKASID 2026 in Seoul. The subcutaneous biosimilar holds a 31% EU5 market share in Q4 2025 and US Zimpetra prescriptions tripled in Q1 2026 year-on-year.
TKG-IMM Consortium Takes Control of April Bio in KRW 346.8 Billion Capital Raise, Targets KRW 20 Trillion Market Cap in Five Years
TKG Huchems and IMM Investment are set to control April Bio after a KRW 346.8 billion capital raise, fueling an aggressive push toward a KRW 20 trillion market cap within five years.
Youngone Corp Net Profit More Than Doubles in Q1 2026 on FX Windfall and OEM Rebound
Youngone Corp (111770.KS) net profit surged 113.2% YoY to KRW 149.7B in Q1 2026, driven by a KRW 58B FX translation windfall and strong OEM demand from The North Face, Lululemon and Patagonia.
KakaoBank to Acquire Masten Capital for KRW 24.1 Billion, Enters Capital-Finance Race With Auto Loan Ambitions
KakaoBank (323410.KS) will pay KRW 24.1 billion for a 100% stake in Masten Capital, marking its entry into Korea's auto and installment finance market by year-end 2026.
Korea's Presidential Chip Push: Samsung, SK Hynix to Sign KRW 300T Honam Cluster June 29 as Yongin Fast-Tracked a Decade
President Lee meets Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong June 25 to finalize KRW 300T+ Honam semiconductor cluster, signing set June 29-30 in Gwangju. Yongin mega-cluster pulled forward by a decade to 2034-35 alongside Samsung KRW 110T capex commitment.
Samsung and LG Race to Build the USD 176 Billion AI Modular Home Market
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are racing to dominate a USD 176 billion smart housing market by bundling AI, HVAC, and modular prefab homes — a pivot beyond traditional white goods.
KOSPI Eyes Historic 9,000 as SK Hynix Extends Market-Cap Crown on Micron Earnings Beat
South Korea's KOSPI surged 5.6% toward 9,000 on Thursday as SK Hynix jumped 11.6%, extending its new role as Korea's largest listed company after Micron's AI-driven earnings beat.
Samsung C&T Posts 7.5% Revenue Growth in Q1 2026, Net Income Jumps 15.9% on Bio Surge
Samsung C&T Q1 2026: Revenue KRW 10.47T (+7.5% YoY), OP KRW 720.4B (-0.6%), Net Income KRW 1.086T (+15.9%). Bio segment drove 67% of operating profit. Construction backlog KRW 92.4T.
Korea Unveils First-Ever 'Korea Rising' Session at BIO 2026 as Celltrion Bets on AI-Drug Pivot and ABL Bio Eyes Global Licensing
Korea debuts 'Korea Rising' session at BIO 2026 as Celltrion pivots to AI drugs and ABL Bio seeks global licensing deals, while KB Investment warns Korean biotechs to form US subsidiaries to access institutional capital.
Samsung Biologics CEO Reaffirms 15-20% Growth Target at BIO USA 2026, Advances Rockville Ramp and Netherlands Hub
Samsung Biologics CEO John Rim unveiled a three-pillar global expansion at BIO USA 2026: Rockville integration (USD 280M, 60,000L), Netherlands hub (Q3 2026), and Songdo Plant 6 decision by year-end, targeting 1.3 million liters by 2032.
Hanwha Aerospace Signs UAE Teaming Deal to Build K9 Howitzer Locally, Deepening Middle East Defense Footprint
South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace signed a teaming agreement with UAE's Generation 5 Holding at Eurosatory 2026 to produce the K9 self-propelled howitzer locally in the UAE, extending its Middle East defence footprint.
Samsung's Financial Affiliates Cross KRW 100 Trillion in Capital for First Time as Stock Rally Drives Unrealized Gains
Samsung Life, Samsung Fire, Samsung Card and Samsung Securities collectively surpassed KRW 100 trillion in capital for the first time at end-2025, with a KRW 31 trillion gain accounting for nearly thr
Korea's Big-Three Department Stores Each Poised to Cross KRW 1 Trillion in Foreign Sales as Tourism Hits 10 Million Ahead of Schedule
Hyundai Department Store, Shinsegae, and Lotte are each on track to surpass KRW 1 trillion in foreign-customer sales in 2026 as inbound tourism to Korea reached 10 million visitors ahead of schedule and K-wave demand drives luxury and fashion spending.
Samsung Electronics Weighs KRW 90 Trillion Buyback as Memory Export Boom Signals Q2 Earnings Beat
Samsung Electronics surged 9.84% after Yonhap reported a KRW 90 trillion (USD 59B) share buyback plan, while NAND export prices surged 822% YoY and Nomura raised its target price to KRW 670,000.
SK Hynix Confirms Nasdaq ADR Listing on July 10, to Raise Up to KRW 45.5 Trillion for Yongin Chip Cluster
SK Hynix board approved a Nasdaq ADR listing on July 10, issuing 17.79 million new shares worth KRW 45.5 trillion (~USD 29B) to fund the Yongin chip cluster, Cheongju packaging fab, and EUV tools. The deal would top Alibaba's record 2014 US offering.
HD Construction Equipment Launches DEVELON 20-Ton Excavator at Pune Hub, Targets 23,000-Unit Middle East/Africa Market as Regional Sales Jump 68%
HD Construction Equipment (267270.KS) launched its new DEVELON 20-ton excavator at its Pune, India manufacturing hub on June 24, targeting the Middle East and Africa as regional sales surged 68.1% in 2026.
EcoPro Materials Swings to Profit in Q1 2026 as Indonesian Smelter Consolidation Drives 22% Revenue Jump
EcoPro Materials posts Q1 2026 consolidated operating profit of KRW 15.7B, reversing a KRW 14.8B loss a year earlier, as the first-time consolidation of PT Green Eco Nickel drives revenues 22% higher to KRW 166.5B.
Hyundai Mobis Q1 2026: Revenue Up 5.5% to KRW 15.6T, Net Income Slides 14% on Equity-Method Gap
Hyundai Mobis posted Q1 2026 revenue of KRW 15.56 trillion (+5.5% YoY), with operating profit up 3.3%, while net income fell 14.4% on lower equity-method gains from affiliates.
Samsung SDI Issues Equipment Orders for Indiana ESS Conversion, Targeting 31 GWh LFP Capacity as EV Demand Slumps
Samsung SDI issues LOI and purchase orders to Korean equipment makers including Innometry and Phil Energy to convert three StarPlus Energy lines from EV to ESS LFP battery production.
Lotte Shopping Q1 2026: Operating Profit Surges 71% as Cost Discipline Offsets Soft Demand
Lotte Shopping (023530.KS) posted Q1 2026 operating profit of KRW 252.9 billion, up 70.6% year-on-year, as cost controls and cinema recovery offset modest top-line growth of 3.6%.
K-Beauty M&A Trap: Western Giants Watch Brands Wither as Domestic Players Eye Buybacks
Unilever, Estée Lauder, and L'Oréal paid billions for Korean beauty brands only to watch earnings decline. Now domestic operators are buying back at deep discounts.
Flashlight Capital Takes USD 40 Million Stake in Samsung Affiliate S-1 Corp, Demands Independent Directors and Cash Return
Activist fund Flashlight Capital discloses a USD 40 million (approximately 2%) stake in S-1 Corporation (012750.KS) and issues a five-point governance overhaul plan targeting Korea's largest security company, citing a 3.3x EV/EBITDA valuation versus 12.0x for domestic peer SK Shieldus.
Kia Union Demands KRW 2.72 Trillion Bonus and Veto Over Robot Deployment as Korea's Yellow Envelope Act Takes Hold
Kia Corp's union has demanded KRW 2.72 trillion in bonuses and veto power over spending plans and new vehicle programs, citing Korea's Yellow Envelope Act effective March 2026.
POSCO DX Q1 2026: Operating Profit Collapses 84% as Parent Group's Capex Pullback Deepens
POSCO DX reported Q1 2026 operating profit of KRW 3.7 billion, down 84% year-on-year, as revenue fell 18.6% to KRW 241.5 billion amid reduced capital spending across the POSCO Group.
South Korea Stays in MSCI Emerging Markets for Third Straight Year as Won Convertibility Gap Delays USD 24 Billion Inflow to 2028
MSCI keeps South Korea classified as an emerging market in its 2026 review, citing limited Korean won convertibility. A developed-market upgrade—worth an estimated USD 24 billion in passive fund inflows—is now deferred to 2028 at earliest.
Microsoft and Chevron Sign 20-Year Power Deal for 2.67 GW Texas AI Data Center, Boosting Korean Memory Demand Outlook
Microsoft and Chevron have signed a 20-year power supply agreement to develop Project Kilby, a proposed West Texas AI data center with 2.67 GW of capacity — one of the largest in the US. The deal, backed by Engine No. 1 ESG fund, targets a 2028 production start and signals sustained hyperscaler demand for Korean HBM and DRAM chips from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
U.S. Solar Makers Seek Anti-Circumvention Probe Into Hanwha Qcells' South Korean Cell Imports
A U.S. coalition led by Canadian Solar, SEG Solar, and Heliene filed an anti-circumvention probe petition against Hanwha Qcells on June 18, 2026, alleging the Korean solar maker evades Chinese anti-dumping tariffs by routing cell production through South Korea.
Toyota and BYD Target Korea's Vacant PHEV Market at Busan Show as Hyundai Motor Sits Out
Toyota and BYD are staging competing PHEV launches at the Busan International Mobility Show (June 26–July 5, 2026), targeting a domestic market niche that Hyundai Motor and Kia have vacated since 2021. Korean PHEV registrations fell 26% year-on-year to 4,745 units in Jan-May 2026, accounting for just 0.8% of the domestic auto market.
Hanmi Semiconductor Bets KRW 50 Billion on SpaceX, Citing AI and Satellite Demand as Long-Term Growth Rationale
Hanmi Semiconductor (042700.KQ) disclosed a KRW 50 billion open-market purchase of SpaceX shares, equivalent to 7.24% of its shareholders' equity, citing explosive AI and satellite demand as the long-term growth rationale.
Krafton Bets KRW 50 Billion on HyperAccel's LPU Chips to Cut AI Inference Costs, Marking Rare Game-to-Chip Move
PUBG maker Krafton is investing KRW 50 billion in Korean AI chip startup HyperAccel's Series B, backing LPUs designed to cut LLM inference costs by 90% versus Nvidia GPUs.
Kakao Pay Buys Out Kakao Pay Securities for KRW 173 Billion, Ending Dual-Listing Overhang and Clearing Path for Stablecoin Push
Kakao Pay will spend KRW 172.98 billion to lift its stake in Kakao Pay Securities from 72.93% to 100% by July 20, removing dual-listing concerns and accelerating its stablecoin and STO strategy.
Hanwha Life Insurance Posts 29.5% Jump in Q1 2026 Operating Profit; K-ICS Solvency Ratio Rises to 162.1%
Hanwha Life (088350.KS) posted KRW 480.8 billion in consolidated operating profit in Q1 2026, up 29.5% year-on-year, as new-contract CSM hit KRW 610.9 billion and its K-ICS solvency ratio improved 4.6 percentage points to 162.1%.