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Jun Ji-hye

Korea Times Finance Reporter

Hello, I am Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at The Korea Times. I primarily cover financial authorities and write articles on a wide range of topics related to finance and capital markets. If you have any information to share, feel free to email me at jjh@koreatimes.co.kr, and I will review it carefully. I am committed to always doing my best to communicate with readers through high-quality articles.

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KOSPI reclaims 9,000 intraday as chip stocks surge on Micron earnings

KOSPI jumped more than 6 percent intraday Thursday to reclaim the 9,000 level, led by a surge in semiconductor stocks after U.S. memory chipmaker Micron Technology reported stronger-than-expected earnings. The benchmark index opened at 8,703.42, up 232.40 points, or 2.74 percent, from the previous day's close, and extended its gains to 9,000.88 by 2:24 p.m., rising 529.86 points, or 6.25 percent, from the previous session to reclaim the 9,000 mark. The index later surrendered part of its gains and closed at 8,930.30, up 459.28 points, or 5.42 percent, from the previous session. Reflecting strong buying momentum, a buy-side sidecar was triggered at 9:07 a.m., temporarily suspending program buy orders. The benchmark index drew support from Micron's better-than-expected quarterly results and upbeat guidance. Investor optimism toward the semiconductor sector further intensified ahead of second-quarter earnings announcements from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. SK hynix's planned Nasdaq listing through American depositary receipts, tentatively scheduled for July 10, provided an additional ta

22h agoBy Jun Ji-hye
KOSPI reclaims 9,000 intraday as chip stocks surge on Micron earnings
Policy

Mixed messages on leveraged ETFs fuel investor confusion

Newly introduced single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, originally promoted by the government as part of efforts to invigorate the domestic capital market, are drawing renewed scrutiny after the head of Korea's financial watchdog publicly criticized the products just a month after their launch, industry officials said Thursday. The apparent disconnect between the government's market-friendly agenda and the Financial Supervisory Service's (FSS) assessment has fueled concerns about policy consistency and investor confidence. At a press briefing Monday, FSS Gov. Lee Chan-jin expressed regret over not having pursued every possible measure to stop the introduction of the products. "The products were introduced under a tight timeline," he said. "The expected benefits have fallen short, while the associated risks and unintended consequences have proven more significant than anticipated." On May 27, brokerages launched 16 single-stock leveraged and inverse ETFs tracking Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, attracting a rapid influx of retail in

22h agoBy Jun Ji-hye
Mixed messages on leveraged ETFs fuel investor confusion
Companies

JoongAng Group's fate split between court, creditors

The fate of JTBC and other JoongAng Group affiliates now lies with the court amid their worsening liquidity problems, while the normalization of the group’s core company, JoongAng Ilbo, depends on its creditors, according to industry officials and analysts Wednesday. Five key affiliates, including broadcaster JTBC and holding company JoongAng Holdings, have recently filed for rehabilitation proceedings. Major newspaper JoongAng Ilbo has also formally applied for a workout with its lead creditor, Hana Bank, amid the group’s financial strain. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court held hearings with the representatives of the five companies on Tuesday, marking the start of a full-scale review of their rehabilitation cases. Executives who attended outlined the group’s debt exposure and proposed restructuring measures to the court. “I am sorry. We will fully comply with the court’s decision,” Hong Jeong-do, vice chairman of JoongAng Group, told reporters near the court. The group’s restructuring crisis began after JTBC defaulted on June 12, failing to repay 20.6 billion won ($13.4 million)

1d agoBy Jun Ji-hye
JoongAng Group's fate split between court, creditors
Others

Foreign sell-off in Samsung Electronics, SK hynix drags KOSPI down 10%

Korean stocks suffered a steep decline Tuesday as foreign investors offloaded shares across the board, dragging the benchmark KOSPI down by nearly 10 percent and triggering market stabilization measures. The KOSPI, which closed at a record high of 9,114.55 in the previous session, opened at 9,083.54, down 31.01 points, or 0.34 percent. After briefly moving into positive territory, the index reversed course and extended its losses throughout the session, finishing at 8,203.84, down 910.71 points, or 9.99 percent. The sell-off hit heavyweight chipmakers particularly hard, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, the market's two largest stocks, sliding 12.31 percent and 12.47 percent, respectively. As the downturn intensified, the Korea Exchange activated a circuit breaker on the main board at around 2:33 p.m., halting trading for 20 minutes. The measure was triggered after the KOSPI remained more than 8 percent below the previous day's closing level for at least one minute. Earlier, a sell-side sidecar was already imposed at around 11:40 a.m. following sharp declines in KOSPI 200 futures, t

2d agoBy Jun Ji-hye
Foreign sell-off in Samsung Electronics, SK hynix drags KOSPI down 10%
Others

Labor unions seek 16.3% minimum wage hike, employers push for freeze

Labor and management began a fierce tug-of-war over next year's minimum wage Tuesday, with labor representatives seeking an increase of more than 16 percent and management representatives pushing for a freeze. The stark differences between the two sides are expected to complicate discussions in the coming months. The Minimum Wage Commission held its eighth plenary meeting at Government Complex Sejong, kicking off deliberations on next year's minimum wage, with labor and management representatives presenting their respective proposals. The commission consists of 27 members — nine representatives each from labor, management and the public interest sector. Ahead of formal negotiations, labor representatives submitted an opening proposal calling for the hourly minimum wage to be raised to 12,000 won ($7.8), up 16.3 percent from the current 10,320 won. “The minimum wage plays a critical role in protecting low-income workers and reflects the level of social equity in the country,” the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the nation’s two larges

2d agoBy Jun Ji-hye
Labor unions seek 16.3% minimum wage hike, employers push for freeze
Others

SK hynix overtakes Samsung in market value amid AI-driven chip boom

SK hynix overtook Samsung Electronics to claim the top position on KOSPI by market capitalization on Monday, ending Samsung's reign of 25 years and seven months as the benchmark index's most valuable listed company. KOSPI, meanwhile, edged higher to close above the 9,100 mark, setting a new record high on a closing basis. According to the Korea Exchange, SK hynix recorded a market capitalization of about 2,080.38 trillion won ($1.35 trillion), surpassing Samsung Electronics’ 2,066.66 trillion won by about 13.72 trillion won on a closing price basis. Samsung Electronics first claimed KOSPI's top spot by market capitalization on July 29, 1999, and had maintained its dominance uninterrupted since Nov. 21, 2000. The change at the top comes amid a rally in the semiconductor sector fueled by surging demand tied to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. While both Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have benefited from the trend, SK hynix has delivered markedly stronger stock performance, ending Samsung's long-standing reign as the market's most valuable company. Samsung's shares have risen nearly

Jun 22, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
SK hynix overtakes Samsung in market value amid AI-driven chip boom
Others

Gold's unusual price swings leave investors at crossroads

Gold, a traditional safe haven asset, has recently confounded investors with price movements that defy conventional market expectations, according to market watchers Thursday. Prices fell during a period of escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran, only to rebound after the two sides reached a ceasefire agreement, challenging the long-held assumption that gold rises during wars and declines once conflicts subside. Unusual movements in gold prices have fueled debate among investors over whether the recent correction signals further losses ahead or a buying opportunity. According to the Korea Exchange, the domestic spot gold price rose for four consecutive trading sessions, climbing from 208,820 won ($137) per gram on Monday to 209,640 won on Tuesday, 209,700 won on Wednesday and 210,530 won on Thursday. Gold prices had fallen below the 200,000 won mark, touching an intraday low of 196,780 won on June 11 as the Middle East conflict continued. They later rebounded after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on June 14 that an agreement had been reached with Iran to en

Jun 18, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Gold's unusual price swings leave investors at crossroads
Companies

Meritz's funding condition pushes Homeplus closer to bankruptcy

Meritz Financial Group has approved 100 billion won ($66 million) in emergency financing for Homeplus, the struggling retailer currently undergoing court-led rehabilitation, the company said Thursday. However, confusion continues to deepen as the blame game intensifies between MBK Partners, Homeplus' largest shareholder, and Meritz over the latter's conditional loan offer. The approval falls short of the 200 billion won sought by Homeplus. Meritz also stipulated that the funds can only be drawn if MBK Partners, the private equity firm that controls the retailer, and MBK Chairman Michael ByungJu Kim provide legally valid and enforceable joint guarantees, casting doubt on whether the financing will ultimately be disbursed. The conditions have heightened concerns over Homeplus' restructuring prospects, with industry observers warning that the retailer could face bankruptcy if it fails to secure sufficient funding before a key court deadline in July. According to Meritz, its board approved the 100 billion won debtor-in-possession (DIP) loan at a meeting on Wednesday. Rather than being disburs

Jun 18, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Meritz's funding condition pushes Homeplus closer to bankruptcy
Banking & Finance

Shinhan launches AI-powered all-in-one finance app

Shinhan Financial Group introduced its new integrated financial platform, Shinhan Super SOL, on Wednesday as part of a broader strategy to unify services across its banking, card, securities and insurance affiliates. The group also unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered financial assistant system and a new hybrid banking-securities account in preparation for what it describes as the emerging era of agent-driven finance. Speaking at the platform's launch event at the group's headquarters in Seoul, Chairman Jin Ok-dong said financial services have traditionally been spread across multiple platforms despite being offered under the same corporate umbrella. "Customers were often required to move between multiple applications and service channels depending on the type of transaction they wanted to perform," he said. "The upgraded Super SOL platform was designed to address that inconvenience by bringing a wide range of financial services together in a single digital environment." According to the company, the latest version of Super SOL goes beyond simply linking services from differe

Jun 17, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Shinhan launches AI-powered all-in-one finance app
Health

Korean researchers develop blood and urine test for early colorectal cancer detection

A research team at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has developed a plasmonics-based liquid biopsy platform capable of detecting cancer-related gene mutations in the blood and urine of patients with early-stage colorectal cancer, paving the way for less invasive cancer diagnosis, KIMS said Wednesday. The research team, led by Lee Min-young, senior researcher at the Advanced Bio and Healthcare Materials Research Division, and Park Sung-kyu, director of the Global Top Research Consortium, developed a new testing platform capable of detecting KRAS mutations, a key genetic driver of colorectal cancer, with very high sensitivity. To test the technology, the researchers analyzed tumor tissue as well as matching blood and urine samples from patients with stage 0 and stage 1 colorectal cancer. The results showed more than 90 percent agreement across the different sample types, suggesting that the method could serve as a reliable alternative to conventional tissue biopsies. The study builds on KIMS' earlier work detecting lung cancer-related gene mutations in blood samples. This t

Jun 17, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Korean researchers develop blood and urine test for early colorectal cancer detection
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