Unionized workers of Samsung Electronics Co. are set to launch a three-day strike Monday, but the planned labor action is unlikely to disrupt production at the technology giant due to low participation. The National Samsung Electronics Union, the biggest labor union with 29,000 members, will kick off the strike with a rally at the entrance of the company's facility in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, according to industry sources. The strike is scheduled to last through Wednesday. Th

Seoul shares opened slightly higher Monday as last week's US jobs data buoyed hopes the Federal Reserve will start cutting its rates this year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 2.23 points, or 0.08 percent, to 2,864.46 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, Wall Street closed higher as data showed US hiring moderated in June, bolstering expectations the Fed's policy pivot would start in September. The eyes of investors are now on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell

First Vice Finance Minister Kim Byoung-hwan, the nominee to head the Financial Services Commission, said he must put in all efforts to bring down the fast growth of household debts on Friday. Kim, a 53-year-old macroeconomics expert, was tapped to the post to lead the country's top financial policy-making unit, according to the presidential office's announcement made on the previous day. “With the prolonged high interest rates and inflation, risks are building up in the vulnerabl

South Korea logged the largest current account surplus in 32 months in May on the back of a sharp rise in the trade surplus and increased dividend income, central bank data showed Friday. The country's current account surplus reached $8.92 billion in May, a turnaround from a deficit of $290 million in April. The May surplus marks the largest since September 2021, when the surplus came in at $9.51 billion. In the first five months of the year, the country's current account surplus reach

Seoul shares opened higher Friday as investors await US jobs data this week for clues on the Federal Reserve's future policy path. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 15.66 points, or 0.55 percent, to 2,840.60 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Institutions and foreigners bought a combined 358 billion won ($260 million) worth of stocks, offsetting individuals' stock selling valued at 352 billion won. The US jobs report due Friday is forecast to show slowing job grow

South Korean shares hit the highest level in nearly two and half years on Thursday, with much-awaited tax incentive plans for the Korean government’s program to boost the stock market taking shape. The benchmark Kospi rose 1.11 percent to close at 2,824.94, reaching the highest since January in 2022. Institutional and foreign investors were net buyers of shares worth 1.11 trillion won ($803.8 million) and 321.5 billion won, respectively, while retail investors sold off 1.41 billion of sh

South Korean stocks finished more than 1 percent higher to hit this year's high Thursday as investor sentiment was boosted by revived hopes for a rate cut in the United States and Samsung Electronics' upcoming earnings guidance. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 30.93 points, or 1.11 percent, to 2,824.94. It marked the highest closing price since Jan. 21, 2022, when it finished at 2,834.29. Trade volume was slim at 386.4 million shares worth 12.8 trillion won ($9.26

First Vice Finance Minister Kim Byoung-hwan has been nominated to lead the Financial Services Commission, South Korea's top financial policy-making unit, the presidential office announced Thursday. In nominating Kim, the office noted, "With his exceptional insights into finance and macroeconomics, the nominee is well-suited to effectively advance policy tasks such as modernizing the financial industry and ensuring stability in financial markets." A 53-year-old expert in macroecono

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok called for proactive and preemptive responses Thursday to prevent possible massive changes in external circumstances from affecting South Korean exports so as to maintain economic recovery momentum. Choi made the remarks during a meeting of ministers working on external economic issues in Seoul, stressing the need to stay vigilant given growing geopolitical tensions and growing supply chain risks. "A growing number of major countries have put top priority on t

Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said Thursday the ministry plans to offer 2.7 trillion won ($1.94 billion) in trade finance for exports of electric equipment to foster the sector as a new growth engine. Ahn announced the plan during his visit to the headquarters of HD Hyundai Electric Co. in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, to discuss ways to support the electric equipment industry, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The visit came as the government has been seeking to set str

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street led by hopes for a possible rate hike. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 23.37 points, or 0.84 percent, to 2,817.38 in the first 15 minutes of trading. In the United States, the S&P 500 index and tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rose to hit record highs backed by Tesla and Nvidia amid softening labor data raising hopes for a rate cut by the Federal Reserve. In Seoul, market bellwet

Global investment bank Credit Suisse affiliates have been fined a record amount for violating Korea's short selling regulations. The Securities and Futures Commission under the Financial Services Commission announced that it had decided to impose fines totaling 27.17 billion won ($19.5 million) on two affiliates of UBS AG -- formerly Credit Suisse -- for illegal short selling amounting to 100 billion won discovered earlier this year. This is the largest fine imposed since the penalty system

President Yoon calls for structural reforms to improve livelihoods, sharpen AI chipmaking, quantum technologies

South Korean stocks finished higher Wednesday as investor sentiment was boosted by Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell's comments for a possible interest rate cut. The local currency traded weaker against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 13.15 points, or 0.47 percent, to 2,794.01, rebounding from the previous session's 0.84 percent drop. Trade volume was slim at 334.2 million shares worth 10.1 trillion won ($7.26 billion), with decliners beating gain

South Korea plans to form a public-private consultative group to address the rising costs of food delivery fees this month to help lift the burden on restaurant owners, the government announced Wednesday. The plan is part of pangovernmental measures to support small business owners. Government officials, delivery platform operators and experts in the food service industry are to join the self-regulatory consultative group to be launched this month. The group will announce ways to bring down the