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  • Economy

    Seoul stocks surge as US-Iran breakthrough boosts risk appetite

    Korean stocks surged Monday after the United States and Iran reached a preliminary agreement over the weekend that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, removing one of the biggest sources of uncertainty that had weighed on global markets for more than three months. The agreement effectively brings an end to the 106-day conflict that began on Feb. 28, with a formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Switzerland. “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social before Asian markets opened. “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz ... Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” On the news, international crude prices fell back toward the $80 range as fears of supply disruptions eased. Brent crude, the global benchmark, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude both dropped over 4 percent to $83.53 and $80.58 per barrel, respectively. While still well above pre-Iran war levels, prices have retreated sharply from the peaks above $110 reached during the height of t

    3 MIN READBy Park Han-sol
    Seoul stocks surge as US-Iran breakthrough boosts risk appetite
  • Economy

    Seoul stocks open higher on Wall Street gains following US-Iran deal

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Seoul stocks open higher on Wall Street gains following US-Iran deal
  • Cryptocurrency

    EXPLAINER Institutions jockey for position in Korea's crypto market

    3 MIN READBy Lee Yeon-woo
    [EXPLAINER] Institutions jockey for position in Korea's crypto market
  • Policy

    Benchmark rate for banks' mortgage loans up for 2nd month in May

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Benchmark rate for banks' mortgage loans up for 2nd month in May
  • Economy

    US-Iran deal offers relief to Korean economy, but lower energy prices may take time

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    US-Iran deal offers relief to Korean economy, but lower energy prices may take time
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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

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Economy

Funds' net asset value up nearly 6% in Q3 on stock rally: data

The value of Korean investment funds rose almost 6 percent in the third quarter of this year from three months earlier, in tandem with a stock market bull run, data showed Wednesday. The net asset value of Korean investment funds reached 1,308.9 trillion won ($913.1 billion) as of end-September, up 5.9 percent, or 73.2 trillion won, from three months earlier, according to data from the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA). The net assets of equity funds increased by the most, by 27.7 trillion won, on the local stock market's stellar performance in the July-September period, the association said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) had risen around 11 percent from June 30 to Sept. 30, boosted by a rally in chipmakers. The net assets of bond funds grew by 16.2 trillion won, while those of money market funds (MMFs) that invest mainly in short-term products fell by 3.4 trillion won over the cited period. Money inflows into bond investment funds and equity funds totaled 14.4 trillion won and 7.4 trillion won, respectively. MMFs, however, experienced a money outflow

Oct 29, 2025By Yonhap
Funds' net asset value up nearly 6% in Q3 on stock rally: data
APEC 2025

InterviewVeteran designer engraves Korea’s legacy, APEC spirit onto commemorative coins

The commemorative coins for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting are the latest additions to a decades-long portfolio of finely crafted work by Kim Jae-min, a veteran designer at the Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corp. (KOMSCO). Made of silver, the two-coin series features distinct cultural elements from Gyeongju — the host city of the APEC summit in North Gyeongsang Province — on their obverse sides. Coin I showcases the ornate lattice door pattern from Gwaneumjeon Hall at Bulguk Temple, symbolizing connection and prosperity. Coin II highlights Cheomseongdae, East Asia’s oldest astronomical observatory, representing Korea’s spirit of scientific innovation. The reverse side of both coins displays the official emblem of the 2025 APEC summit. Together, the designs embody the theme of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting — “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, and Prosper.” These works reflect over 20 years of Kim’s dedication at KOMSCO, where he has honed his ability to convey a thoughtfully curate

Oct 29, 2025By Yi Whan-woo
Veteran designer engraves Korea’s legacy, APEC spirit onto commemorative coins
Cryptocurrency

Korea makes first legislative move to curb money laundering via stablecoins

Korea is set to introduce its first legislative measure to bring stablecoins under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act as part of efforts to block money laundering and tax evasion involving digital assets, National Assembly officials said Tuesday. Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to maintain consistent value by being tied to central bank-issued currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, or to physical assets like gold. Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), both pegged one-to-one to the U.S. dollar, are among the most widely-used stablecoins. According to Assembly officials, Rep. Park Sung-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party plans to propose a bill that classifies stablecoins as a legal “means of payment” under the act, placing them alongside existing instruments, including government-issued notes and banknotes. Park explained that although stablecoins are gaining recognition as a potential new form of payment, they are not officially recognized under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act because their characteristics differ from traditional currencies. “This regulato

Oct 29, 2025By Jun Ji-hye
Korea makes first legislative move to curb money laundering via stablecoins
Economy

Seoul stocks retreat from record-breaking streak ahead of major events

Korean stocks took a breather on Tuesday after enjoying a stellar performance over the past weeks, as investors cashed in part of jaw-dropping gains ahead of major events, such as the Trump-Xi meeting and the Federal Reserve's rate decision. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slid 32.42 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 4,010.41. The index has been on a bull run since late September as investors snatched up major stocks such as tech, defense and shipbuilders. The KOSPI has gained around 68 percent so far this year. Since September, the index spiked over 23 percent, and this month alone, the market barometer surged around 15 percent. On Monday, the KOSPI broke through 4,000 threshold for the first time after exceeding 3,500 early this month. Trade volume was moderate at 405.3 million shares worth 19.5 trillion won ($ 13.6 billion). Losers outnumbered winners 499 to 379. Foreigners were net sellers, offloading 1.6 trillion won. Retail and institutional investors purchased a net 1.6 trillion won and 92.6 billion won, resp

Oct 28, 2025By Yonhap
Seoul stocks retreat from record-breaking streak ahead of major events
Economy

Airline, entertainment, construction stocks left out of KOSPI rally

Kim Sung-hoon, an office worker in his 40s, is frustrated whenever he hears that the KOSPI is breaking its all-time high. “I bought Korean Air shares at 28,000 won ($19.50) per share in August, but the price has since been dipping. I thought the cheap valuation was a plus. But there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t regret not buying SK hynix or Samsung Electronics shares. I wish I could turn back the clock.” He is among many retail investors with holdings of airline, entertainment and construction stocks that remain largely excluded from the ongoing KOSPI rally. The benchmark continues to surpass the all-time 4,000-point milestone, underpinned almost exclusively by large-cap semiconductor shares — Samsung Electronics and SK hynix — on expectations of a global artificial intelligence (AI) industry boom. The two Korean semiconductor powerhouses accounted for more than half of the KOSPI’s total market-cap gain this year, while mid- and small-cap domestic demand-reliant shares’ growth has been limited. According to the Korea Exchange, KOSPI large-cap shares surged 74 perc

Oct 28, 2025By Lee Kyung-min
Airline, entertainment, construction stocks left out of KOSPI rally
Policy

Housing market sentiment hits 4-year high, raising questions over policy effectiveness

Consumer sentiment toward home prices has reached its highest level in four years, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the government’s recent measures to cool the housing market. In a consumer sentiment survey released Tuesday, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said the housing price outlook index for October stood at 122, the highest since October 2021, when it was 125. A reading above 100 means that more consumers expect home prices to rise than to fall. The BOK noted that the index rose 10 points from the previous month, marking the sharpest increase since April 2022, when it also climbed by 10 points. The findings come despite the government’s introduction of three major housing regulations — on June 27, Sept. 7 and Oct. 15 — and about four months after President Lee Jae Myung took office. The measures included stricter mortgage lending rules and the expansion of speculation-prone zones, particularly in Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas where housing demand remains high. The central bank said the survey results “do not sufficiently reflect the effects of the government’s la

Oct 28, 2025By Yi Whan-woo
Housing market sentiment hits 4-year high, raising questions over policy effectiveness
Economy

Employment in nursing assistant services hits record high in H1 amid aging society

The number of people employed in caregiving and nursing assistant services reached a record high in the first half of this year in line with the country's aging society, government data showed Tuesday. As of April, 1.69 million people were employed in non-residential nursing assistant and caregiving services, up 135,000 from a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. It marked the highest figure for the first half of any year since the ministry began applying a new industrial classification system in 2017, the ministry said. The number of employees in residential welfare facilities, such as nursing homes, also rose by 32,000 from a year earlier to 242,000, the data showed. As of December 2024, people aged 65 and older accounted for more than 20 percent of Korea's total population, officially classifying the nation as a "super-aged" society.

Oct 28, 2025By Yonhap
Employment in nursing assistant services hits record high in H1 amid aging society
Banking & Finance

Brokerage CEOs poised for reappointment as KOSPI hits 4,000

CEOs of multiple top-tier Korean securities firms, whose terms are nearing their end, face hope for extensions amid a bull market, with the KOSPI surpassing 4,000 points. The milestone, reached Monday, is expected to further boost brokerage earnings, following an earnings surprise in the first half of the year. The top 10-ranked securities firms reported a combined net income of 4.48 trillion won ($3.12 billion) in the first six months, a 21.8 percent increase from a year earlier. Seven of these 10 firms have CEOs whose terms are nearing expiration — KB Securities and Hana Securities in December, and the remaining five — Mirae Asset Securities, Korea Investment & Securities, NH Investment & Securities, Meritz Securities and Daishin Securities — in March 2026. “Given the strong stock market and the stellar performance of securities firms, the general consensus is that most CEOs will be reappointed,” an industry official said Tuesday. KB Securities is likely to maintain its co-CEOs, Kim Sung-hyun and Lee Hong-ku, with a year-end reshuffle scheduled for the first week of December. F

Oct 28, 2025By Yi Whan-woo
Brokerage CEOs poised for reappointment as KOSPI hits 4,000
Economy

InterviewIDB Group to set up AI hub in Seoul to bring Korean technologies to Latin America

An upcoming artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Korea, to be established by the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group), will connect Korea's technological expertise with Latin America's development needs, creating a platform for collaboration, innovation and talent exchange, according to IDB Group President Ilan Goldfajn. Marking 20 years of partnership, the IDB Group and Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance announced the launch of a new Korea-IDB Group cooperation package. According to the signed letter of intent, a Korea-IDB Group AI hub will be established in Korea. "We are thinking about the future 20 years," Goldfajn said in an exclusive interview with The Korea Times on the sidelines of the seventh Korea-LAC Business Summit in Seoul Monday. "Having a hub here will increase our presence — and not just any hub, but an AI hub — because it allows us to use Korea's technological expertise with what Latin America needs," Goldfajn added. "And it will create a space where we can bring in talent from Korea." The IDB Group provides financial and technical support to nationa

Oct 28, 2025By Lee Yeon-woo
IDB Group to set up AI hub in Seoul to bring Korean technologies to Latin America
Economy

K-food exports during January-September period rise to record high of $5.9 mil.

Accumulative exports of Korean food products for this year so far reached an all-time high, customs agency data showed Tuesday. The country's exports of food products during the January-September period grew 8.9 percent from a year ago to 8.5 billion won ($5.9 million), according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. By category, outbound shipments of processed foods, such as instant ramyeon and beverages, rose 6.7 percent year-on-year to 5.2 billion won. Processed foods were the most exported product, accounting for 61.3 percent of the total. Exports of seafood products jumped 11.2 percent year-on-year to 2.3 billion won, thanks to the popularity of dried seaweed products — known in Korean as "gim" — the customs agency said. Outbound shipments of agricultural goods rose 5.6 percent year-on-year, while those of livestock products jumped 50.3 percent during the cited period. The United States, China and Japan were the top three destinations, accounting for 50.2 percent of total shipments. Korean food products were also popular among the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) memb

Oct 28, 2025By Yonhap
K-food exports during January-September period rise to record high of $5.9 mil.
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