South Korean stocks pulled off a rebound Monday from bargain hunting by institutions and private investors who shrugged off geopolitical uncertainties triggered by the Crimean referendum. The South Korean won gained against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index moved up with the start of trading and ended the day at 1,927.53, gaining 0.40 percent, or 7.63 points, from Friday’s close.Trading volume was relatively light at 197.33 million shares, with 2.98 trillion won ($2

Excess funds held by South Korean households and non-profit agencies rose last year as consumer spending was subdued by lackluster income growth, the central bank said Monday.The value of their excess funds amounted to 87 trillion won ($81.4 billion) in 2013, up from 83.4 trillion won the previous year, according to the Bank of Korea.“Excess funds” refers to the volume of money that remains on the balance sheets of households after deposits and stock investments.“Households and non-profit agenci

South Korea and China launched a fresh round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement Monday with both sides expected to work for much needed progress.Seoul earlier said the two countries will continue to hold discussions on all related issues, including the level of market liberalization for products, services and investment, and ways to synchronize their domestic regulations and promote cooperation.This week's meeting, the 10th of its kind since the FTA negotiations were launched i

A nuclear reactor at the nation’s Wolseong nuclear power plant complex automatically stopped operating early Saturday, plant operator Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. said, adding that they are still investigating the cause.The 700,000-kilowatt unit 3 at the complex stopped operating at 6:50 a.m. on Saturday when its safety shutdown system became engaged, according to KHNP. It added that power supply will remain stable throughout the weekend.The reactor, located in the country’s southeastern prov

South Korean stocks dropped 0.75 percent Friday as concerns over slowing economic growth in China and political tensions surrounding Ukraine reduced appetite for risky assets, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 14.48 points to 1,919.90, falling for a second consecutive day.Trading volume was moderate at 251 million shares worth 3.98 trillion won ($3.71 billion), and losers outnumbered gainers 514 to 282.On Thursday,

South Korea’s exports to the United States have shown meaningful growth since the two countries’ bilateral free trade agreement went into effect two years earlier, proof of the positive effects of an FTA on trade, the South Korean government said Thursday.In the period since the Korea-U.S. FTA went into effect on March 15, 2012, South Korea’s outbound shipments to the U.S. amounted to $121 billion, up 10.3 percent from $109.7 billion two years prior to the implementation, according to the Minist

South Korean stocks rose 0.1 percent Thursday as investors went bargain hunting following the previous session’s dip of more than 1.5 percent, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 1.84 points to hit 1,934.38. Trading volume was moderate at 256 million shares worth 4.35 trillion won ($4.06 billion), and gainers outnumbered losers 501 to 307.With the dearth of major market catalysts, investors opted to buy oversold sh

Sales of housing units in South Korea surged from a year earlier last month, signaling a recovery in the property market, the government said Thursday.In February, the number of home transactions came to 78,798, up 66.6 percent from the same month last year, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.February marks the second consecutive month the country’s home transactions posted an on-year gain.“It appears the permanent reduction of the acquisition tax and removal of the

South Korean stocks dropped 1.6 percent Wednesday as investors fretted over a slowdown in the Chinese economy and political tensions in Ukraine, analysts said.The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 31.33 points to 1,932.54. Trading volume was moderate at 316 million shares worth 4.12 trillion won ($3.85 billion), and losers outnumbered gainers 653 to 165.China, South Korea’s largest trading partner, said over the weekend that its exp

Canada and South Korea concluded negotiations on a free-trade deal that will give more market access for Canadian beef producers and phase out tariffs on cars made by Korean companies such as Hyundai Motor Co.The agreement will boost Canadian exports to South Korea by one-third, adding an annual C$1.7 billion ($1.5 billion) to Canada’s economic output once the deal is fully implemented, said a Canadian official familiar with the contents of the agreement who spoke to reporters in Seoul, asking n