Some 8,000 visitors join two-day event, themed on financial freedom

Over 60 percent of South Korea's automotive exports during most of 2024 have been shipped to North America, according to industry data, raising concerns about the need for more balanced global export strategies. The combined exports of the five South Korean automotive firms — Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, KG Mobility, and Renault Korea Motors — totaled 1,857,111 units during the January-August period. Of those, 61.4 percent, or 1,140,073 units, were shipped to North America, mar

The daily stock trading volume fell to the lowest of the year last month as worsening market conditions spooked investors, data showed Saturday. The average daily trading volume of listed shares came to 16.67 trillion won ($12.36 billion) in September, the lowest since the start of the year, according to the data from the Korea Exchange, operator of South Korea's main bourse. The reading also marks an 8 percent decline from 18.2 trillion won the previous month. The figure has been a steady

Despite clear signs of slowing inflation, market sentiment remains mixed regarding whether South Korea's central bank will follow the US Federal Reserve to pivot toward lowering rates this month. Statistics Korea reported that the consumer price index — a key measure of inflation — rose 1.6 percent on-year in September, down from 2 percent in August, marking the lowest level since February 2021, when it recorded a 1.4 percent increase. The last time the index fell below the 2 pe

Seoul shares closed slightly higher Friday, snapping three consecutive sessions of losses, as investors hunted bargains despite the escalating tensions in the Middle East. The local currency sharply fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index moved up 0.31 percent, or 8.02 points, to 2,569.71. Trading volume was moderate at 405 million shares worth 9.63 trillion won ($7.2 billion), with gainers outpacing losers at 462 to 412. Foreigners bought a net 41 billion won

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Friday decided to let its leadership make the final decision on whether to postpone the adoption of the financial investment income tax, which is set to take effect on Jan. 1. The decision made during a general meeting of party lawmakers in the morning, comes as the ruling People Power Party has been calling for the Democratic Party, which currently holds the majority of seats in the 300-member Assembly, to agree on the abolition or a postponement

A tender offer by private equity firm MBK Partners to gain a controlling stake in Korea Zinc Inc., the world's biggest zinc smelter, is set to expire Friday, with all eyes on how the smelter's stock would perform, some analysts said. MBK, in cooperation with Young Poong Corp., the largest shareholder of Korea Zinc, raised its original tender offer price for Korea Zinc last week to 750,000 won ($567) per share from 660,000 won. In a rare counteroffer this week, Korea Zinc Chairman Choi

Seoul stocks opened nearly flat Friday, as investors sat on the sidelines amid the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 0.02 percent, or 0.48 point, to 2,561.21 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US shares lost ground amid the growing conflict between Israel and Iran, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 0.44 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite falling 0.04 percent. International benchmark Brent crud

Local retail investors experienced significant losses from Korean shares in the third quarter while foreign investors fared relatively well amid the Kospi’s bearish trend in the period, market data showed on Thursday. According to the Korea Exchange, the most purchased stock by South Korean retail investors from July to September was Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest memory chipmaker, with net purchases totaling 7.82 trillion won ($5.9 billion). Following Samsung, SK hynix, th

Seoul shares closed lower for the third consecutive day Wednesday as investors sat on the sidelines amid the escalating tension in the Middle East following Iran's massive missile attack against Israel. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 1.22 percent, or 31.58 points, to 2,561.69. Trading volume was moderate at 341.9 million shares worth 9.38 trillion won ($7.1 billion), with losers far outnumbering winners at 705 to 177. F

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday tracking overnight losses on Wall Street amid growing concerns over an all-out war in the Middle East after Iran attacked Israel with missiles. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 0.89 percent, or 23.04 points, to 2,570.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US shares tumbled after Iran fired missiles directly at Israel, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 0.41 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite plunging 1.53 perce

South Korea's consumer prices slowed to the lowest level in 3 1/2 years in September, falling below 2 percent for the first time since early 2021, data showed Wednesday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 1.6 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2 percent increase a month earlier, according to the data from Statistics Korea. September's figure marked the lowest level since February 2021, when consumer prices grew 1.4 percent. The figure last came to the 1 percent ra

South Korea's exports extended on-year gains to the 12th straight month in September, data showed Tuesday, on the back of robust shipments of chips. Outbound shipments rose 7.5 percent on-year to $58.7 billion last month, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Imports added 2.2 percent on-year to $52.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $6.66 billion. South Korea has maintained a trade surplus for 16 consecutive months. By sector, exports of semicond

South Korean and Slovakian business leaders gathered in Seoul to deepen industrial cooperation, focusing on nuclear power plants and defense industries, according to a Korean business group on Monday. On the occasion of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's state visit to Korea, the Federation of Korean Industries hosted a roundtable with businesspeople from the two countries to discuss ways for Korean firms to expand their footings in the central European country. Slovak Deputy Prime Minis

Seoul shares fell by more than 2 percent Monday as investors remained on the sidelines ahead of the releases of key economic data in the United States later this week. The local currency ended at a 9-month high against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 2.13 percent, or 56.51 points, to 2,593.27. Trading volume was moderate at 352.4 million shares worth 10.5 trillion won ($8.03 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 708 to 181. Institutions and foreign inv