Most Popular
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Korea enters full election mode
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Seoul bus drivers go on general strike, cause morning rush hour delays
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Immigrant woman stabbed to death by Korean husband
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Lee Jong-sup resigns as envoy to Australia
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Official campaigning kicks off for April 10 elections
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Yellow dust engulfs S. Korea, advisory alert issued
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S. Korea to boost support for single-parent families
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Court upholds jail term for man who attempted to murder ex-girlfriend
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Kia EV9 wins world car of year
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Korea misses out on global bond index boost
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Seoul shares end tad higher amid Fed chief's testimony
South Korean stocks closed slightly higher Thursday after US Fed Chairman Jerome Powell hinted at a possible rate cut this year, while acknowledging economic uncertainties still remain. The local currency gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 6.13 points, or 0.23 percent, to 2,647.62. Trade volume was moderate at 447 million shares worth 10.2 trillion won ($7.72 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 591 to 297. Foreigners offloaded 308 billion won
March 7, 2024
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[KH Explains] ‘Kimchi premium’ returns, but weaker
After the global rally of bitcoin earlier this week, the “kimchi premium,” -- the price discrepancy in cryptocurrency between Korea and international markets -- has soared as well. Shortly after the global price of bitcoin hit a record high, rising above $69,000, the gap had widened to 12 percent as of Wednesday, meaning the bitcoin that traded in Korea was 12 percent more expensive than the global average. It later came down to the 6 percent range as of Thursday. While the bitcoin p
March 7, 2024
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Seoul shares open higher as Fed chair hints at possible rate cut this year
South Korean stocks opened higher Thursday as US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that the rate cut is likely "at some point this year." The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 9.77 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,651.26 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed higher with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.2 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advancing 0.58 percent. During the testimony delivered before the House o
March 7, 2024
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[Graphic News] Imports of frozen fruit hit new record in 2023 on higher fresh produce prices
South Korea’s imports of frozen fruit products hit a new record in 2023, data showed Sunday, amid the growing burden on consumers to purchase fresh goods due to lingering inflation. The country’s imports of frozen fruit products came to 64,000 metric tons in 2023, up 6 percent from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Korea Rural Economic Institute. In 2023, prices of agricultural, livestock and fishery products climbed 3.1 percent on-year. Of major items, the pric
March 7, 2024
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Seoul shares close lower ahead of Fed chief's testimony
South Korean stocks closed lower Wednesday as investors awaited clues on the US Federal Reserve's future rate direction, with techs and chemicals leading the overall decline. The local currency closed flat against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 7.91 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,641.49. Trade volume was low at 364 million shares worth 9.8 trillion won ($7.38 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 606 to 282. Foreigners offloaded 374.4 billion won worth o
March 6, 2024
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Seoul shares open lower on Wall Street losses
South Korean stocks opened lower Wednesday after major blue chips finished bearish on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 8.84 points, or 0.33 percent, to 2,640.56 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 1.04 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing 1.65 percent. US tech giant Apple sharply lost ground amid reports that its sales in China dipped sharply over the first si
March 6, 2024
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Seoul shares close lower on profit taking
South Korean stocks closed lower Tuesday as investors sought profit while awaiting China's economic policy. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 24.87 points, or 0.93 percent, to 2,649.4. Trade volume was moderate at 447 million shares worth 11.9 trillion won ($8.93 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 606 to 282. Foreigners scooped up 85.6 billion won, extending their buying streak to eight consecutive sessions. Institutions
March 5, 2024
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Seoul shares open lower on profit taking
South Korean stocks opened lower Tuesday as investors sought profit after a sharp rise the previous session, with tech and auto shares leading the losses. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 8.26 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,666.01 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.25 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing 0.41 percent. In Seoul, tech shares opened mostly bearish, with Sam
March 5, 2024
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Seoul shares close higher on extended foreign buying
South Korean stocks closed higher Monday as foreigners extended their buying streak to seven consecutive sessions, with technology and financial shares leading the overall rise. The local currency gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 31.91 points, or 1.21 percent, to 2,674.27. Trade volume was moderate at 383 million shares worth 12.2 trillion won ($9.22 billion), with losers slightly outpacing gainers 442 to 436. Foreigners were net buyers, scooping
March 4, 2024
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Seoul shares open higher on techs, cars, following holiday break
South Korean stocks started higher Monday following a three-day break including the weekend on the back of robust gains from tech and automobile shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 30.66 points, or 1.16 percent, to 2,673.02 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Tech shares led the overall gains, with Samsung Electronics rising 1.36 percent and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix climbing 4.03 percent. Leading carmaker Hyundai Motors added 1.2 percent, and its smaller rival Kia Motor
March 4, 2024
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Korea faces long road in unlocking corporate value like Japan
As global investors scrutinize South Korea’s plan to boost corporate valuations, they note a key hurdle — the prevalence of family-controlled businesses, or chaebols, which are often blamed for keeping stocks undervalued. From Samsung Electronics to Hyundai Motor, Korean conglomerates are run by members of the founding families who can wield outsized power through complex cross-shareholdings. The controversial structure and a tendency to sideline minority shareholders are among reaso
March 2, 2024
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Seoul shares close lower ahead of key US inflation data, holiday
South Korean stocks closed lower Thursday as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the release of some key US inflation data and the holiday this week. The local currency gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 9.93 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,642.36. Trade volume was moderate at 484 million shares worth 12.5 trillion won (US$9.44 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 545 to 341. Institutions were net sellers by offloading 507.3 billion won, while
Feb. 29, 2024
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Bitcoin soars to record high in Korea
The price of bitcoin traded in Korea climbed to its highest ever Thursday, fueled by a global rally initiated from spot exchange-traded funds and an impending halving. Bitcoin, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency, traded in Korea at up to 90 million won ($67,490) on the country’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, at 3:47 p.m. On the previous day, it broke its previous high of 82.7 million won at around 6 p.m. for the first time since November 2021. After peaking at 90 million won, bitco
Feb. 29, 2024
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Seoul shares open lower tracking Wall Street losses
South Korean stocks started lower Thursday tracking overnight losses from Wall Street, as the US' fourth-quarter economic growth was slower than earlier estimated. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 20.49 points, or 0.77 percent, to 2,631.8 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed weaker, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.06 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing 0.55 percent. The US economy expanded 3.2 percent in
Feb. 29, 2024
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Seoul shares end over 1% higher ahead of key US data
South Korean stocks ended higher Wednesday as investors closely awaited key data from the United States later this week. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 27.24 points, or 1.04 percent, to 2,652.29. Trade volume was moderate at 409.7 million shares worth 10 trillion won ($7.4 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 559 to 302. Individuals were net sellers by offloading 539.2 billion won, while foreigners scooped up a net 458 bill
Feb. 28, 2024
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Seoul shares open nearly flat ahead of key US data
South Korean stocks started nearly flat Wednesday as investors took a wait-and-see approach ahead of key economic indicators set to be released in the United States this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged up 0.78 points, or 0.03 percent, to 2,625.83 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.25 percent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 0.37 percent. The US is set to announce t
Feb. 28, 2024
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Seoul shares end lower ahead of US economic data
South Korean stocks ended more than 0.8 percent lower Tuesday as investors were in cautious mode ahead of the release of major US economic data later this week. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 22.03 points, or 0.83 percent, to 2,625.05. Trade volume was slightly heavy at 567.4 million shares worth 12.4 trillion won ($9.3 billion), with decliners sharply beating gainers 745 to 149. Institutions led the decline by un
Feb. 27, 2024
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Seoul shares open lower ahead of key US economic data
South Korean stocks started lower Tuesday as investors took a cautious mode ahead of major US economic data releases later this week, including the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 4.77 points, or 0.18 percent, to 2,642.31 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed lower on profit-taking following a rally last week. Investors were also taking a wait-and-see mode ahead of the release of th
Feb. 27, 2024
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Seoul shares down on disappointing 'value-up' program
South Korean stocks closed lower Monday as investors dumped local shares on the government's weaker-than-expected plans to boost corporate value. The Korean won edged down against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 20.62 points, or 0.77 percent, to close at 2,647.08, ending a two-day winning streak. Trade volume was heavy at 519.6 million shares worth 10.8 trillion won ($8.1 billion), with decliners sharply beating gainers 657 to 231. Institutions and individuals
Feb. 26, 2024
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Seoul shares open lower on profit-taking
South Korean stocks started lower Monday as investors sought profits after a recent rally. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 15.89 points, or 0.6 percent, to 2,651.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The main index rose for two straight sessions at the end of last week on the back of Nvidia-led gains in semiconductor shares. Market heavyweights led the negative opening. Top-cap Samsung Electronics fell 0.27 percent, and leading oil refinery SK Innovation slid 1.62 perc
Feb. 26, 2024