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.