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%.
KOSPI Plunges 9.99%, Triggering Circuit Breaker, as Samsung and SK Hynix Each Lose Over 12% in Largest Single-Day Crash of 2026
South Korea's KOSPI fell 9.99% to 8,203.84 on June 23, 2026 — its steepest single-day drop of the year — as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix each shed more than 12%, triggering a full circuit breaker halt.
LG Chem Commits KRW 15 Trillion to R&D by 2035, Targeting Semiconductor Packaging and Robotics Materials
LG Chem commits KRW 15 trillion (USD 9.74 billion) in R&D through 2035, with 70% targeted at semiconductor, EV, and robotics materials and 30% at anticancer drugs, as the company pivots from petrochemicals to high-margin specialties.
Samsung and SK Hynix Target Hundreds of Trillions of Won in Honam and Chungcheong Semiconductor Clusters as Minister Urges Speed
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are reviewing plans to build semiconductor fab clusters in Honam and Chungcheong regions, with investment discussed at hundreds of trillions of won as Korea's industry minister urges speed.
Kakao Unveils Kanana Agentic AI at KPAIX 2026, Positions KakaoTalk as Korea's Government Service Gateway
Kakao Corp. (035720.KS) unveiled its Kanana agentic AI at KPAIX 2026 in Goyang, partnering with South Korea's government to turn KakaoTalk into a national AI service hub while launching Commerce Catalog Advertising.
Samsung Electronics HBM4 Sales Top USD 1 Billion Four Months After Launch as Nvidia Vera Rubin Demand Accelerates
Samsung Electronics crossed the USD 1 billion milestone in HBM4 chip sales just four months after its February 2026 launch, targeting USD 1.2 billion by month-end as Nvidia Vera Rubin ramps.
JB Financial Group Posts Q1 2026 Net Profit of KRW 166.1 Billion as Net Interest Income Rises 8.5%
JB Financial Group posted Q1 2026 net profit of KRW 166.1B (+2.1% YoY), with net interest income growing 8.5% and provisions declining 9.7%.
CJ Corporation Q1 2026: Revenue Climbs 8% but Operating Profit Slides 13% as BIO Segment Stumbles
CJ Corporation posted Q1 2026 consolidated revenue of KRW 11.45 trillion (+8.0% YoY) but operating profit fell 13.2% as the BIO amino acid segment's profit collapsed 62.3% year-on-year.
SK Biopharmaceuticals Signs USD 2.5 Billion AI Drug Discovery Deal With Insilico Medicine at BioUSA 2026, Expanding CNS Reach Beyond Epilepsy
SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030.KS) signed a USD 2.5 billion AI drug discovery deal with Insilico Medicine at BioUSA 2026 to develop neuroimmune CNS therapies, as 51 Korean biotech firms set new partnership benchmarks at the San Diego event.
South Korea Wins Softer EU Steel Quota Carve-Out Days Before July 1 Cutoff, Shielding POSCO and Hyundai Steel
South Korea secured preferential treatment under the EU new steel safeguard regime effective July 1, 2026, protecting POSCO and Hyundai Steel from the full 46% duty-free quota reduction targeting global exporters.
SK Hynix Eyes Nasdaq ADR Debut by August, Targets Up to USD 20 Billion as AI Memory Gains Peak
SK hynix (000660.KS) plans to list American Depositary Receipts on Nasdaq as early as July 2026, targeting proceeds of USD 14 to 20 billion to fund AI memory expansion.
LG Energy Solution Debuts Polish-Made JF2S Battery at ESS Europe 2026, Targeting AI Data Center Power Market
LG Energy Solution showcases JF2S DC Link 5.0 (~5 MWh, Polish LFP), JP6 UPS and 2170 BBU at Messe Munich (Jun 23-25), backed by USD 1.6B DTE Energy deal and KRW 3.4T in 2026 ESS contracts.
Samsung Display, LG Display Begin Apple H2 2026 OLED Mass Production as BOE Is Shut Out of Premium Lineup
South Korea's Samsung Display and LG Display have begun mass production of OLED panels for Apple's entire H2 2026 lineup, securing over 228 million units combined. BOE was excluded from iPhone 18 Pro supply after LTPO+ quality failures at its Mianyang facility.
CJ CheilJedang (097950.KS) Q1 2026: Operating Profit Slumps 28.5% on Cost Expansion, Net Income More Than Doubles on Tax Relief and Divestiture Gains
CJ CheilJedang posted operating profit of KRW 238.1 billion in Q1 2026, down 28.5% year-on-year, as SG&A costs rose 5.4% and BIO segment margins contracted. Net income surged 108.8% to KRW 119.8 billion on tax normalisation and a KRW 15.1 billion discontinued-operations gain.
Samsung Biologics Secures KRW 149.1 Billion in CMO Add-Ons as Union Plans Independence Vote
Samsung Biologics disclosed two DART-filed CMO contract expansions totaling KRW 149.1 billion in June 2026, lifting its cumulative backlog to ~USD 10.4 billion, even as the labor union prepares a vote to exit Samsung Group's conglomerate union.
Hyundai Glovis (086280.KS) Q1 2026: Revenue Hits KRW 7.81 Trillion on Auto Logistics Surge, Operating Profit Up 3.9%
Hyundai Glovis (086280.KS) posted KRW 7.81 trillion in Q1 2026 revenue (+8.2% YoY) with operating profit up 3.9% to KRW 521.5 billion. Net income fell 14.4% on non-operating headwinds. Fleet expansion: 37 LNG car carriers on order.
Samsung E&A (028050.KS) Q1 2026: Operating Profit Surges 20% as Middle East Demand Reshapes Revenue Mix
Samsung E&A Q1 2026 quarterly results: operating profit up 19.6% YoY to KRW 188.2bn; Middle East revenue surges 33% to 58% of total sales; backlog at KRW 17.8tn.
Daehan Shipbuilding (439260.KS) Surpasses 2026 Order Target and Logs Sixth Straight 20%-Plus Margin Quarter on Suezmax Dominance
Daehan Shipbuilding (439260.KS) posted Q1 2026 operating profit of KRW 82.6 billion at a 26.8% margin — its sixth consecutive quarter above 20% — as Suezmax specialization and US-Iran tensions drive record tanker demand. The company has already exceeded its 2026 annual order target with 13 vessels secured and is pursuing US Navy MRO certification.
Kakao Games Installs LINE Yahoo-Backed Co-CEOs, Denies Merger With LINE Games; Stock Jumps 15%
Kakao Games (293490.KS) held an EGM on June 22 to install Kim Taehwan and Lee Si-woo as co-CEOs under new parent LAAA Investment (LY Corp.), which injected KRW 300B via equity and convertible bonds. A potential merger with LINE Games was ruled out for now; Southeast Asia is the stated growth target. Shares jumped 15.9% on the session.
SK Hynix Dethrones Samsung Electronics as KOSPI's Top Market Cap for First Time in 27 Years
SK Hynix briefly surpassed Samsung Electronics on June 22 to become South Korea's largest company by market cap — a milestone unseen since 1999 — as its AI-driven HBM dominance sent shares to a record KRW 2,945,000.
South Korea's FSS Chief Regrets Approving Samsung, SK Hynix Leveraged ETFs as Retail Investors Bear Up to KRW 10 Trillion in Brokerage Fees
South Korea's FSS Governor Lee Chan-jin expressed sharp regret over the May 27 approval of 2x single-stock leveraged ETFs tied to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, warning cumulative trading commissions may reach KRW 5–10 trillion while retail investors—holding 92% of the KRW 14 trillion combined AUM—bear most of the risk. Regulators are studying five curbs including tighter monitoring, credit controls, and possible restrictions on future approvals.
South Korea's FSS to Release Banking Governance Reform Before KB Financial Shortlist, Introducing Three-Term Chairman Limit
South Korea's FSS Governor Lee Chan-jin says a governance reform plan capping bank holding company chairmen at three consecutive terms will be released before KB Financial's July 3 shortlist selection.
Iljin Electric (103590.KS) Q1 2026: Operating Profit Surges 49% as Grid Infrastructure Boom Lifts Cable and HV Equipment Demand
Iljin Electric posted Q1 2026 operating profit of KRW 50.8 billion, up 49.1% year-over-year, as ultra-high-voltage cable and GIS demand surge on grid infrastructure investment.
Hanon Systems Q1 2026: Operating Profit Jumps 361% on Margin Recovery
Hanon Systems (018880.KS) posted Q1 2026 consolidated operating income of KRW 97.2 billion, up 361% year-on-year, as revenue rose 5% to KRW 2,748 billion.
KakaoPay Loses Court Battle Over Alipay Data Transfers, Cementing KRW 19 Billion in Fines
A Seoul court rejected KakaoPay's challenge to a KRW 12.98 billion FSS fine for routing 54.2 billion personal credit records through China's Alipay without user consent, cementing a combined KRW 18.9 billion regulatory bill and setting a sector-wide data-sharing precedent.
Hanwha Ocean Enters Final Stretch of C$60B Canada Submarine Race, Decision Due Mid-July
South Korea's Hanwha Ocean (042660.KS), partnering with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (329180.KS), has advanced to the decisive final stage of Canada's landmark Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP),
SKC Posts KRW 305 Billion Operating Loss in FY2025 as Battery Foil Surges, Credit Ratings Cut
SKC (011790.KS) reported a KRW 305 billion operating loss for FY2025, with net losses hitting KRW 719 billion as financing charges and write-downs mounted despite a 59% surge in its battery copper foil unit.
Woori Financial Adds ₩10 Trillion to Growth and Inclusive-Finance Targets, Tripling 2026 Safety-Net Goal
Woori Financial Group expanded its Future Shared Growth Project by ₩10 trillion (USD 6.5 billion), lifting the 2026 inclusive-finance target nearly threefold to ₩3.5 trillion and scheduling ₩400 billion in debt write-offs.
Hanwha Lifts KAI Stake to 9.04%, Eyes 12% by Year-End in Korean Aerospace Consolidation Bet
Hanwha Group becomes KAI second-largest shareholder at 9.04%, spending KRW 625B. Board approves KRW 500B more targeting 12% by year-end. Hanwha Aerospace stock falls 6.48%.
Korean Biotech Giants Descend on BIO USA 2026, Targeting CDMO Contracts and AI Drug Discovery Deals
Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, SK Biopharmaceuticals and Lotte Biologics are among 51 Korean firms at BIO USA 2026 in San Diego, targeting CDMO contracts and AI drug discovery deals as BIOSECURE Act reshapes global manufacturing demand.
Hyundai Motor Group to Acquire SoftBank's Remaining 9.65% Stake in Boston Dynamics for USD 325 Million
Hyundai Motor Group is set to acquire SoftBank's remaining 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics for USD 325 million, completing full ownership of the robotics firm ahead of a potential Nasdaq IPO in 2027.
Shinsegae Posts 50% Operating Profit Surge in Q1 2026 on Duty-Free Rebound and Premium Retail Strength
Shinsegae's Q1 2026 consolidated operating profit surged 49.5% year-on-year to KRW 197.8 billion as duty-free revenues rebounded and department store sales grew 10.9%.
Samsung Targets HBM4 Long-Term Supply Deals With Nvidia and AMD After World-First HBM4E Samples
Samsung Electronics held its twice-yearly strategy meeting on June 18, with Vice Chairman Jeon Young-hyeon leading discussions on HBM4 and HBM4E supply roadmaps and long-term agreements with Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, and Google.
LG Group Sends 30-Exec Team to Nvidia HQ to Advance M.A.P. Alliance Across Robotics, AI Data Centers, and Mobility
LG Group's ~30 executives head to Nvidia's California HQ on June 24, deepening a three-pillar M.A.P. (Mobility, AI Infrastructure, Physical AI) alliance that spans LG Electronics, LG Innotek, LG CNS, LG Energy Solution and LG Uplus.
SK Square Hits Record ₩1.891 Million Intraday, Outpacing SK Hynix as Index Cap Drives Proxy Demand
SK Square's shares touched a record intraday high of ₩1,891,000 in June, climbing 44% on the month as a 10% index weight cap on SK Hynix pushes institutional investors toward the holding company.
LG Energy Solution Hits 100,000 Global Patent Mark, First Battery Maker to Reach the Milestone
LG Energy Solution surpassed 100,000 global patent applications, becoming the first battery company in the world to reach the milestone, backed by record R&D spending of ₩1.33 trillion in 2024.
Kia Plans to Phase Out Granbird Bus After 55 Years as Chinese Rivals and Emissions Costs Bite
Kia Corp plans to discontinue its Granbird large bus within two years, ending 55 years of commercial vehicle production as Chinese rivals and stricter emissions rules squeeze margins.
JoongAng Group's Five Affiliates Enter Court Rehabilitation as JTBC's ₩700 Billion Sports-Rights Bet Unravels
JoongAng Ilbo filed for creditor-led workout on June 19 while JTBC and four affiliates sought court rehabilitation, triggered by a failed USD 500 million Olympic and FIFA broadcasting rights deal. Around ₩500 billion in PE capital faces uncertain exits.
Korea Gains a Point on MSCI Scorecard, but Wednesday's Reclassification Review Is the Real Test
MSCI cut Korea's minus-rated accessibility categories to five from six, upgrading investment-instrument availability. The annual classification review on June 23 will determine whether Korea re-enters the developed-market watchlist for the first time since 2014.
LG Display Headed for Another Q2 Loss, But Samsung Securities Lifts Target to ₩17,000 on a Restructuring Read
Mirae Asset Faces Extended FSS Probe After SpaceX IPO Delivers Zero Shares to Korean Investors
South Korea's FSS has extended its probe into Mirae Asset Securities after the brokerage received zero SpaceX IPO shares despite planning a USD 312.5 million allocation. The firm launched a ₩1 billion Customer Care Program for affected investors.
Doosan (000150.KS), LG CNS Sign AI and Data-Center MOU
SK Hynix Eyes August Nasdaq ADR Debut, Targeting USD 14 Billion in New Shares
SK Hynix is targeting an August Nasdaq ADR listing that could raise up to USD 14 billion, with SEC approval expected around June 22. The offering would make SK Hynix the first Korean chipmaker directly tradable on a U.S. exchange.
Foreign Ownership of KB Financial Tops 80% for First Time Since 2008, Reframing Chairman Reappointment
Foreign investors now own more than 80% of KB Financial Group for the first time since the holding company was established in 2008, bolstering Chairman Yang Jong-hee reappointment prospects.
Samsung C&T (028260.KS) Surges 13% on Dividend Overhaul
Hyundai Rotem Seals ₩748.2 Billion, 20-Year Morocco Maintenance Pact, Lifting Korea's Total Rail Bet Near ₩3 Trillion
Hyundai Rotem sealed a KRW 748.2 billion (USD 487.3M) 20-year maintenance contract with ONCF, pushing Korea's total Morocco rail commitment to ~KRW 2.98 trillion ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Trump-Backed Apple-Intel Chip Pact Adds a Rival to Samsung's Foundry Comeback
President Donald Trump said on June 18 that Apple has agreed to "design and manufacture chips in the U.S." with Intel, a post on his Truth Social account that sent Intel shares up $12.72, or 10.5%, to $133.82 the same day (CBS News). Neither company confirmed the arrangement: Apple did not respond t