Most Popular
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Yoon vetoes bill for special probe into young Marine's death
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SNU alums nabbed for digital sex crimes
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AI Seoul Summit adopts declaration on safe, innovative, inclusive AI
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Samsung replaces semiconductor chief amid heightened AI race
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Dog days are over? Popular dog trainer embroiled in workplace bullying dispute
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[Exclusive] LACMA admits it needs further research on donated Korean paintings
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Russia likely offering N. Korea technology aid to expand threats to US, others: Pentagon official
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[Up close in Yeouido] Trump hinting at US troop removal in South Korea ‘election-time talk’
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[H.eco Forum] H.eco Forum calls for transition to clean, carbon-free energy
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[Graphic News] Medical tourists visiting Korea reach record high
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Robo-advisers thrust in spotlight amid coronavirus pandemic
The amount of funds entrusted to South Korea’s three leading robo-adviser firms exceeded 1 trillion won ($906 million), highlighting the fast growth of non-face-to-face investment services during the coronavirus crisis, according to market data on Sunday. Robo-adviser or automated asset management companies Fount, AIM and December & Company currently manage a total of 1.25 trillion won, up 402.9 percent from 247.9 billion won a year ago. Robo-advisers offer highly tailored asset mana
Jan. 17, 2021
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Industrial shift to heat up Korea’s M&A market: experts
Brisk merger and acquisition activity is expected this year in an ongoing industrial shift that is being accelerated by the pandemic, according to outlooks from investment banks Sunday. While the aviation industry has taken the hardest blow from the pandemic, Korean Air is speeding up the process of taking over Asiana Airlines. On Thursday it submitted stock acquisition documents to antitrust authorities in nine regions where the carrier flies for a merger review. The countries include South Ko
Jan. 17, 2021
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Woori Financial chief pledges to innovate like Amazon, Google
Woori Financial Group Chairman Sohn Tae-seung has urged the group‘s subsidiaries to gear up for business innovation this year by benchmarking global tech giants Amazon and Google, officials said Sunday. “Just as the innovative tech behemoths Amazon and Google did, let’s seek innovation with a mindset like it’s always day one, to get back to the basics and start work with a renewed mind and to surprise the market by achieving a groundbreaking performance,” s
Jan. 17, 2021
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Retail investors emerge as big players in stock markets
South Korean retail investors have emerged as deep pockets in the stock market, pouring in more than 100 trillion won ($90.6 billion) since early last year, data showed Sunday. Individual investors net bought a combined 102.2 trillion won in local and overseas stocks from Jan. 2, 2019, to Friday, according to data from the Korea Securities Depository (KSD). During the cited period, individuals bought a net 77.8 trillion won worth of local stocks. They bought 59 trillion won worth of stocks tra
Jan. 17, 2021
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KKR's Asia fund underscores hope for real asset recovery
The announcement of two fund closures by US investment firm KKR this week highlighted its anticipation for real asset recovery in the Asia-Pacific region, including South Korea. KKR on Wednesday closed the $1.7 billion fund KKR Asia Real Estate Partners, which is focused on real estate investments in the Asia-Pacific region to meet demand for modernized properties and developments. A few days earlier, its KKR Asia Pacific Infrastructure Investors on Sunday closed a $3.9 billion vehicle for inf
Jan. 15, 2021
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Seoul stocks tumble on profit-taking
South Korean stocks dipped more than 2 percent Friday as investors booked profits from a recent rally. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) tumbled 64.03 points, or 2.03 percent, to close at 3,085.9 points. Trading volume was high at about 1.3 billion shares worth around 22.8 trillion won ($20.7 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 626 to 240. The KOSPI opened higher, buoyed by a massive stimulus proposal by US President-elec
Jan. 15, 2021
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RCI Financial Services rolls out auto finance app
RCI Financial Services Korea, an affiliate of Renault Samsung Motors, launched a mobile app which enables customers to apply for loans remotely after signing a contract to buy a car, the firm said Friday. The new Renault Finance app is developed to apply and complete loan application without visiting dealer shops through a simple verification process online. Evaluation on loan applicants will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a broader range of customers including foreigners residing h
Jan. 15, 2021
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BNP Paribas to exit from asset management joint venture with Shinhan
France-based BNP Paribas Asset Management Holding is set to divest its entire stake in its South Korean joint venture with Shinhan Financial Group, the Korean banking group said Friday. Shinhan BNP Paribas, a 65:35 joint venture of Korea‘s second-largest banking group by total assets and the French counterpart, will become a fully owned subsidiary of Shinhan, as the former has decided to buy out the 35 percent stake from its partner. The two companies inked an agreement on Dec. 30, 202
Jan. 15, 2021
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Seoul stocks open higher on US stimulus proposal
South Korean stocks opened higher Friday, as investor sentiment was boosted by a massive stimulus proposal by US President-elect Joe Biden that fueled hopes of speedy global recovery from the pandemic. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 11.13 points, or 0.35 percent, to 3,161.06 points in the first 20 minutes of trading. Samsung Electronics shed 0.78 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix advanced 1.92 percent. Leading chemical firm LG Chem retreated 0.3 percent, but recharge
Jan. 15, 2021
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Mirae Asset chairman stresses innovation
Park Hyun-joo, chairman and founder of South Korea’s Mirae Asset Group, on Thursday urged analysts to explore innovative companies, stressing shifting investment strategies focusing on the growth potential of companies rather than assessment of the manufacturing value chain. At an online investment strategy meeting, Park referred to unexpected innovations that could have a significant impact on the market, saying that the markets are transitioning from a focus on the value chain to innova
Jan. 14, 2021
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Nexon's holding company invests $16m in Elon Musk's SpaceX
NXC, the holding company of South Korea’s largest game developer Nexon, has invested $16 million in SpaceX, the aerospace company run by electric carmaker Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the company said Thursday. “NXC invested $16 million in SpaceX’s fundraising round in August, in which the spaceflight company issued convertible preferred stocks,” said an NXC official, declining to comment on details of the deal. SpaceX is said to have issued preferred stocks at the time to ra
Jan. 14, 2021
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Rise of retail investors pushes stocks, mitigates 'Korea discount': experts
The South Korean stock benchmark surpassing the 3,000-point mark last week highlighted the rise of retail investors, which mitigated a series of negative factors that had left the local stock market undervalued, market experts and leaders of financial companies said Thursday. They were referring to the massive capital injected by individual investors who have pushed up the market index, saying it has helped mitigate the so-called “Korea discount,” which refers to the undervaluing of
Jan. 14, 2021
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IT, bio lead Korean IPO market: KRX
South Korea’s IPO market has seen a shift in its driving force with information technology and biopharma companies taking the lead, replacing manufacturing and finance firms in recent years, a report showed Thursday. According to the report released by the Korea Exchange, initial public offerings of companies delivering IT and communication services topped the list of industries, accounting for 22.8 percent of all market debuts made on the nation’s main bourse after its benchmark Ko
Jan. 14, 2021
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Seoul stocks end almost flat amid valuation pressure
South Korean stocks closed nearly flat Thursday as investors cashed in gains from large-cap chip and auto stocks amid valuation pressure in sectors such as chipmaking and automaking. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 1.64 points, or 0.05 percent, to 3,149.93. Trading volume was high at about 1.2 billion shares worth around 23.8 trillion won ($21.7 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 518 to 320. Foreigners scooped up
Jan. 14, 2021
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Virus, scandals slow Korean private fund growth
The coronavirus pandemic and a series of hedge fund turmoils last year have impeded the growth of private funds managed by asset management companies in South Korea, data showed Thursday. According to data by the Korea Financial Investment Association, the combined assets managed by Korea-domiciled private funds grew 5.7 percent to 438.7 trillion won ($398.4 billion) in 2020, far lower than their 2019 growth which stood at 23.5 percent. Between 2014 and 2019, the funds grew 18.8 percent annual
Jan. 14, 2021
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S. Korea to obligate listed firms to disclose ESG data from 2025
South Korea’s financial authorities on Thursday unveiled a comprehensive policy framework that obligates listed firms to disclose corporate information on investment activities related to environmental, social and governance standards, so-called ESG, in phases. Under the envisioned scheme jointly released by the policymaking Financial Services Commission, the market watchdog Financial Supervisory Service and the country’s sole bourse operator Korea Exchange, companies liste
Jan. 14, 2021
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Seoul stocks open nearly flat amid valuation pressure
South Korean stocks opened almost flat Thursday on increased valuation pressure after the key index closed at a near all-time high the previous session. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 2.27 points, or 0.07 percent, to 3,150.56 in the first 20 minutes of trading. The main index started on a muted tone as foreigners and institutions are set to lock in gains after the key index's recent bullish run. Most large caps in Seoul traded mixed. Market bellwether Samsung El
Jan. 14, 2021
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Retail investors' funds soar amid stock market rally
Retail investors' stock-related funds have risen by nearly 20 trillion ($18.2 billion) this year on the back of a surging stock market, industry data showed Thursday. Individuals' stock funds increased by 19.6 trillion won for eight sessions from Jan. 4-13, amounting to nearly 20 percent of last year's total. Those funds refer to money that retail investors use to buy stocks or deposit at securities companies to purchase shares. Over the cited period, individuals bought 10.8 trillion won wort
Jan. 14, 2021
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Moon to invest W50m in Korean New Deal funds: Cheong Wa Dae
President Moon Jae-in will invest a total of 50 million won ($45,600) into new major funds intended to support the government's Korean-version New Deal project, his office said Wednesday. The president plans to sign up on Friday for five funds to be operated by as many local asset managers, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok. Moon will use profits from his investment in a separate fund that was created in 2019 to foster South Korea's parts and materials production industry agai
Jan. 13, 2021
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Netherlands-based brokerage to start business in S. Korea
South Korea‘s top financial regulator said Wednesday it has granted preliminary approval for Netherlands-based brokerage house IMC to operate its financial investment and brokerage business in the country. The move came after the Dutch firm had requested the Financial Services Commission’s approval in June last year. The brokerage obtained the authority‘s final nod on the condition that its Seoul-based subsidiary serves as a market maker -- a member of an exchange comm
Jan. 13, 2021