Location · 1349 published stories · 104 outlets · All places
Seoul stocks opened at a record high on Tuesday, driven by large-cap tech shares ahead of earnings releases from major U.S. tech companies. The KOSPI briefly topped 6,700 points intraday, building on Monday's all-time closing high of 6,615.03. Meanwhile, overnight Wall Street indexes closed mixed, and Middle East tensions continue to influence global markets.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis to discuss AI cooperation, while the Ministry of Science and ICT signed an MOU with DeepMind for joint research, talent development, and responsible AI use. The partnership includes plans for an AI campus in Korea and a global AI hub initiative.
South Korean stocks closed at fresh record highs this week, with the KOSPI surpassing the 6,700-point mark, driven by strong earnings from Samsung Electronics and U.S. tech giants amid an artificial intelligence rally. Analysts point to sustained chip demand and easing Middle East tensions as key factors.
The United States has partially restricted intelligence sharing with South Korea following Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's public mention of a North Korean uranium enrichment facility in Kusong, which Washington believes was based on classified information. Seoul insists the information was open-source, and both governments are working to resolve the misunderstanding.
South Korean and Cambodian police have agreed to widen the scope of their joint investigation team to include drug and online gambling crimes, while authorities repatriated 73 South Korean suspects from Cambodia and the Philippines over two months.
President Lee Jae-myung has reiterated his administration's commitment to rebuilding trust with North Korea, urging Pyongyang to respond to Seoul's overtures. The remarks came amid a series of diplomatic messages marking the eighth anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration, with former President Moon Jae-in also calling for resuming inter-Korean dialogue.
Hanwha Ocean reported first-quarter net profit of 500 billion won, up 131.8 percent year-on-year, driven by high-value LNG carriers and improved profitability. Operating profit rose to 441.1 billion won, while sales grew 2.1 percent to 3.2 trillion won. The company secured new orders worth about $2.45 billion.
South Korea's total stock market capitalization surpassed 6,000 trillion won for the first time, driven by a semiconductor-led rally and strong corporate earnings. The number of companies with a market cap over 1 trillion won also exceeded 400, marking a recovery from the Middle East conflict's impact.
The Samsung Lions have flipped their KBO season around, following a seven-game losing streak with seven consecutive wins, the longest active run in the league. The team's pitching and veteran bats have fueled the resurgence as they prepare for a key series against the LG Twins.
The supernatural horror film 'Salmokji: Whispering Water' has dominated the South Korean box office since its release, setting records and surpassing major milestones. The film's success is attributed to its unique plot and filming location, with sources from Yonhap News providing detailed box office data.
Song Sung-mun of the San Diego Padres made his Major League Baseball debut as a pinch runner during the Mexico City Series, then was optioned back to Triple-A. Meanwhile, Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants continued his hot streak with a four-hit game, helping the Giants beat the Miami Marlins.
New OECD data projects South Korea's potential growth rate will fall to a record low of 1.52 percent in late next year, continuing a decade-long decline. Analysts warn of a low-growth trap without structural reforms, while the administration targets 3 percent growth.
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, where they discussed military cooperation and a planned five-year agreement. The visit included commemorations for North Korean troops killed in Russia's Kursk region and comes amid reports of a new road bridge and deepening alliance.
A gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., prompting Secret Service agents to evacuate President Trump and others. The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was taken into custody. Leaders from around the world condemned the attack and expressed relief that the president and first lady were unharmed.
The deputy commander of the U.N. Command, Lt. Gen. Scott Winter, has warned against altering the management of the Korean Demilitarized Zone, calling the armistice a 'proven framework.' His remarks come amid UNC objections to South Korean bills promoting peaceful use of the buffer zone and reports of a proposed handover of southern DMZ management to Seoul.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and senior Russian officials inaugurated a memorial museum in Pyongyang honoring North Korean troops killed in the Ukraine war, marking the first anniversary of Russia's recapture of the Kursk region. The ceremony underscores the deepening military alliance between the two nations, with casualty estimates ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 soldiers and plans for expanded long-term military cooperation through 2031.
The Korea Baseball Organization has reached 2 million, 3 million, 4 million, 5 million, and 6 million fans in record time during the 2026 season, surpassing previous marks set in 2025. The league is averaging over 18,000 fans per game and is on pace to break its single-season attendance record.
South Korean prosecutors have for the second time rejected a police request for an arrest warrant for HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, citing insufficient evidence in his alleged unfair stock trading case. The case stems from allegations that Bang misled investors in 2019 before HYBE's IPO, with estimated illegal profits ranging from 190 billion to 260 billion won across different reports. Bang has denied wrongdoing, while the U.S. Embassy has requested allowing him to travel for BTS's world tour.
South Korean stocks ended flat on April 24 as defense and shipbuilding gains offset tech losses, while Middle East tensions and U.S.-Iran talks kept investors cautious. The KOSPI edged down 0.18 point to 6,475.63, with foreigners selling a net 1.95 trillion won.
South Korea's Army chief met with counterparts from Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand to discuss peninsular security and military cooperation. The state arms procurement agency also pledged to advance defense ties during a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong.