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Jun Ji-hye

Korea Times Finance Reporter

Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at the finance desk of The Korea Times, focuses primarily on economic policy and government agencies, mainly covering the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the National Tax Service and the Korea Customs Service. She previously covered financial authorities, including the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, and earlier worked on the political, city and business desks, reporting on a wide range of issues.

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KOSPI pauses as Kosdaq surges on sector rotation

KOSPI fell nearly 2 percent on Thursday amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, while the previously underperforming Kosdaq rallied more than 2 percent. Investors appeared to rotate out of heavyweight KOSPI stocks and into smaller-cap names, with Kosdaq-listed machinery, equipment and manufacturing companies attracting much of the inflow, according to market analysts. The benchmark KOSPI opened at 8,623.82, down 177.67 points, or 2.02 percent, from the previous close, and ended the session at 8,639.41, down 162.08 points, or 1.84 percent, snapping a four-session winning streak that began on May 28. In the previous trading session on Tuesday, the index briefly surpassed the 8,900 mark for the first time on an intraday basis before closing in the 8,800 range. The decline was attributed to overnight losses on Wall Street, where all three major U.S. indexes fell as hopes for a breakthrough in ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran faded. Growing geopolitical uncertainty pushed up both crude oil prices and government bond yields, prompting investors to reduce risk exposure. Reflecting

Jun 4, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
KOSPI pauses as Kosdaq surges on sector rotation
Others

Gov't, BOK step up FX monitoring amid prolonged won slump

The government is intensifying its monitoring of the foreign exchange market and reinforcing stabilization measures, repeatedly warning that it stands ready to intervene against excessive one-sided volatility as the Korean won continues to weaken, officials said Thursday. The officials attributed the heightened exchange rate volatility to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and profit-taking by foreign investors, who have turned into net sellers following a recent KOSPI rally. "With external uncertainties remaining high, we are keeping a close watch on market developments to curb growing anxiety and are prepared to act immediately against excessive one-way market moves," Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said during a market review meeting with the Bank of Korea (BOK) governor, the Financial Services Commission chairman and the Financial Supervisory Service governor. The warning came as the Korean currency remained under sustained pressure, with the won staying above the 1,500 won-per-dollar level for nearly three consecutive weeks. On Thursday, the won opened at 1,530.0 per dollar, we

Jun 4, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Gov't, BOK step up FX monitoring amid prolonged won slump
Others

OECD lifts Korea's 2026 growth forecast from 1.7% to 2.6% amid semiconductor surge

The OECD significantly upgraded its growth outlook for the Korean economy this year, raising the forecast to 2.6 percent from 1.7 percent on expectations that booming semiconductor exports will outweigh risks stemming from the Middle East conflict, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Wednesday. The ministry said Korea recorded the largest upward revision among G20 economies in the OECD’s latest projections. After lowering Korea’s growth outlook to 1.7 percent from 2.1 percent in its March report over concerns about the Middle East conflict, the OECD has now reversed course with a substantially more optimistic assessment. The sharp upward revision appears to reflect Korea’s stronger-than-anticipated economic performance in the first quarter. According to preliminary data released by the Bank of Korea (BOK), real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 1.7 percent from the previous quarter. The OECD’s new forecast is in line with the BOK’s latest projection announced last month and stands slightly above the Korea Development Institute’s 2.5 percent estimate. It rema

Jun 3, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
OECD lifts Korea's 2026 growth forecast from 1.7% to 2.6% amid semiconductor surge
Others

Stocks linked to election candidates fall amid chip-driven rally

Shares linked to political figures moved largely downward and saw weak trading activity during this local election period, in contrast to previous election cycles when such stocks experienced sharp volatility, according to Korea Exchange data Wednesday. Market analysts attributed the subdued performance to the recent KOSPI rally led by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, as optimism over expanding artificial intelligence (AI) data center investment and an improving semiconductor outlook shifted investor focus toward major technology stocks. Sampyo Cement and SJ Group, both regarded as stocks linked to ruling Democratic Party of Korea Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o, fell 30 percent and 49 percent, respectively, over the past month as of Tuesday. The two firms were associated with Chong, the former head of Seoul’s Seongdong District, based on their ties to Seongsu-dong in the district. Stocks associated with main opposition People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon were no exception to the broader weakness. Chin Yang Industry, Chin Yang Poly and Chin Yang Chemical fell 18 percent, 26 p

Jun 3, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Stocks linked to election candidates fall amid chip-driven rally
Companies

AI reshapes research, but not human judgment: research firm CEO

The research industry is one of the sectors being rapidly reshaped by the spread of generative artificial intelligence (AI). While traditional research largely focused on collecting consumers’ opinions through surveys and analyzing results, the industry is increasingly evolving toward the use of AI to predict market responses and reduce strategic risks before execution. Cho Min-hee, CEO of comprehensive research firm PMI, said research is no longer merely about reporting results but has become a process of evaluating multiple possibilities and designing decision-making strategies in advance. In a recent interview with The Korea Times, Cho positioned PMI as a “data intelligence company” rather than a firm focused solely on surveys, saying it combines behavioral and environmental data to deliver a broader and more contextual understanding of market dynamics. “People may respond positively in surveys, but that does not always translate into real purchases or actions. The key is to understand the gap between what consumers say and what they actually do,” Cho said. “To bridge that

Jun 3, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
AI reshapes research, but not human judgment: research firm CEO
Others

Samsung Electronics surge sends KOSPI above 8,800 intraday for 1st time

KOSPI soared above the 8,800 milestone in intraday trading for the first time in history on Monday, as Samsung Electronics spearheaded the rally with a more than 10 percent jump in its share price. The benchmark index opened 9.52 points, or 0.11 percent, higher at 8,485.67, immediately surpassing its previous record closing high of 8,476.15 set Friday. Buying momentum gathered pace throughout the session, carrying KOSPI past the 8,500 level before extending gains through the 8,600 and 8,700 marks and eventually breaching 8,800 intraday. Although it gave up part of its gains late in the session, the index still finished at a record closing high of 8,788.38, up 312.23 points, or 3.68 percent. As the market rally intensified, a buy-side sidecar was activated at around 11:30 a.m., amid heightened volatility in KOSPI200 futures. The mechanism is triggered when KOSPI200 futures rise at least 5 percent above the reference price and sustain the gain for one minute, temporarily suspending program buy orders for five minutes. The latest activation was the first in three trading sessions and marked

Jun 1, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Samsung Electronics surge sends KOSPI above 8,800 intraday for 1st time
Banking & Finance

Overshadowed by KOSPI rally, bank stocks pin hopes on rate hikes

Banking stocks have largely remained on the sidelines despite the KOSPI’s record-setting rally this year, according to Korea Exchange (KRX) data Monday. Analysts said investor attention and liquidity have flowed heavily into brokerage firms and other market beneficiaries, leaving bank shares, often regarded as defensive investments, struggling to keep pace with the broader market. Still, they believe the banking sector may be poised for a rebound, supported by expectations of interest rate hikes in the second half, more proactive shareholder return programs and relatively low valuations despite solid earnings power. According to KRX industry indices, as of Friday, the banking index gained only 14.46 percent this year, lagging far behind the KOSPI’s 101.13 percent rally over the same period. The semiconductor index surged 163.34 percent and construction stocks advanced 96.22 percent, while other financial sectors such as brokerages and insurers posted solid gains of 67.9 percent and 44.56 percent, respectively. Reflecting the sector’s weak share performance, the combined market capit

Jun 1, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Overshadowed by KOSPI rally, bank stocks pin hopes on rate hikes
Others

KOSPI closes near 8,500 as AI rally drives fresh high

KOSPI hit another record on Friday, topping 8,400 and moving closer to the 8,500 milestone as easing geopolitical concerns and renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks lifted investor sentiment following overnight gains on Wall Street. The country's benchmark index opened 199.02 points, or 2.43 percent, higher than the previous session at 8,384.31, and maintained its upward momentum to close at 8,476.15, up 290.86 points, or 3.55 percent. Market sentiment strengthened after media reports said the United States had finalized working-level discussions on a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict with Iran and had begun circulating a draft among allies, including Israel. Hopes that ceasefire negotiations were nearing a final settlement also helped ease concerns over oil prices, which had recently weighed on global financial markets. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures retreated to the $80-per-barrel range. On Wall Street, AI-focused cloud computing company Snowflake surged 36 percent after raising its annual sales forecast and securing a lon

May 29, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
KOSPI closes near 8,500 as AI rally drives fresh high
Others

KOSPI retains 8,000 level despite renewed US-Iran conflict

The benchmark KOSPI dipped Thursday amid renewed U.S.-Iran tensions but held firm above 8,000 after a record-setting two-session rally that pushed the index beyond 8,200. KOSPI opened 62.97 points, or 0.77 percent, lower at 8,165.73 and finished the session at 8,185.29, down 43.41 points, or 0.53 percent, from the previous trading day. The index briefly tumbled to an intraday low of 7,841.01 amid aggressive selling by foreign investors of market heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK hynix before recouping most of its losses on the back of strong retail buying. Investor sentiment deteriorated as renewed U.S.-Iran tensions overshadowed expectations for a ceasefire breakthrough. Concerns intensified after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was reported to have launched attacks on U.S. military bases in Kuwait in response to recent U.S. strikes in southern Iran. Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities, said Asian stock markets, including Korea, extended losses as investors priced in escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. “The latest developments drove inte

May 28, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
KOSPI retains 8,000 level despite renewed US-Iran conflict
Law & Crime

Customs agency's secondary mail screening nets 3 drug smuggling cases in 60 days

The Korea Customs Service (KCS) said Thursday that its newly launched secondary drug screening system for international mail has resulted in the seizure of three narcotics smuggling cases totaling 1,159.3 grams within just 60 days, demonstrating its effectiveness as an additional barrier against drug trafficking. Dubbed the second line of defense, the system subjects international postal items to a second round of X-ray screening and physical inspection at inland mail centers after they have already cleared initial checks at airports and seaports, creating a dual-layer screening framework. The measure was introduced to counter the growing use of international mail for drug smuggling and increasingly sophisticated concealment methods. Since April, the system has been operating at five major logistics hubs nationwide, including Seoul, Anyang and Busan. To support the initiative, KCS and Korea Post overhauled the international mail logistics network so that all inbound postal items pass through the five designated hubs, each equipped with enhanced X-ray screening and inspection capabilities

May 28, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Customs agency's secondary mail screening nets 3 drug smuggling cases in 60 days
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