1. Semiconductors

Shares in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix extended their gains after data showed semiconductor exports reached $34.1bn in the first twenty days of September, the highest figure ever recorded for that period. Samsung closed on 23rd September at 285,500 won, up 3.25% on the day, while SK Hynix rose 1.2% to 1,862,000 won. Hana Securities forecast that DRAM and NAND flash prices would exceed earlier estimates. Samsung has doubled its monthly procurement of glass substrate carriers — used in producing HBM4 memory chips for Nvidia's next-generation Rubin GPUs — from 10,000 to 20,000 sheets, with plans to scale that figure to 50,000 sheets a month by 2027.

2. Substrate manufacturers

Stocks linked to semiconductor substrates rallied sharply across the week. Korea Circuit led the field with a weekly gain of 24.62%, followed by KC Tech (+19.39%), Daeduck Electronics (+15.70%) and Issuepetasys (+14.66%). The surge was driven by the Nasdaq's record close on 22nd September and by news of Samsung's expanded glass substrate procurement programme.

3. Internet

A Seoul High Court rejected Coupang's application for an injunction against a Korea Fair Trade Commission on-site investigation on 23rd September, clearing the way for the regulator to impose a fine of up to 200m won on the e-commerce group for obstructing the inquiry. Meanwhile, the trade union at Naver Z — a subsidiary of the internet giant Naver — launched a full strike on 23rd September, with roughly 120 members (representing around 70% of the workforce) walking out in pursuit of a 5.3% pay rise matching settlements reached at Naver's parent company and its affiliate Snow. The union has threatened five consecutive days of industrial action from 19th October if its demands are not met.

4. Renewable energy

Jeju Island's electricity market is overhauling the way it compensates solar and wind power producers, shifting from a capacity-based payment system to one that rewards "grid contribution". Thirty resources totalling 628.3MW are participating in the second pilot scheme, with settlement amounts differentiated by a performance-linked capacity price coefficient ranging from 0.8684 to 1.1749. Separately, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has opened a central contract market for 1,180MW of energy storage systems (ESS) — 1,100MW on the mainland and 80MW on Jeju — accepting bids until 11th November. Jeju installations capable of charging and discharging twice daily will be eligible for 25-year contracts, five years longer than the standard term.

5. Power equipment

LS Electric has injected $55m (approximately 76.1bn won) into its subsidiary in Utah, as it expands electrical-equipment manufacturing capacity in North America. The Utah plant, currently being enlarged to meet demand from artificial intelligence data centres, is expected to reach an annual switchgear production capacity worth 500bn won once construction is complete.

6. Shipbuilding

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries secured an order worth 336.2bn won for two roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) car-carrier vessels from a European shipping line. Hanwha Ocean was reconfirmed as the preferred bidder for Thailand's next-generation naval frigate programme, valued at roughly 696.8bn won, but formal contract signing has been delayed by an ongoing review by the Thai Auditor-General's Office following appeals from unsuccessful bidders.

7. Defence

Hanwha Aerospace signed memoranda of understanding with 43 domestic drone companies in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, on 21st September, launching what it calls the "K-Drone Ecosystem" initiative. The Mohave STOL — a large unmanned aerial vehicle being co-developed with General Atomics of the United States — is targeted to have more than 70% of its mass-production content sourced domestically. Smaller drones are to be bundled with established Korean export platforms such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer and Chunmoo multiple-rocket launcher as part of integrated arms packages.

8. Nuclear energy

Negotiations continue between Seoul and Washington over the size of South Korea's equity stake in Westinghouse Electric, the American nuclear technology firm. Korea has sought a 15% interest; the United States has reportedly offered 5–10%. Analysts argue that the volume of business Korean firms ultimately secure matters more than the headline equity percentage. Doosan Enerbility is emphasising its track record of supplying reactor pressure vessels and steam generators for Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor, while Hyundai Engineering & Construction is highlighting its existing EPC partnership as each company seeks a role in future projects.

9. K-pop

Singer Lim Young-woong simultaneously placed 13 songs on the Billboard Korea Global K-Songs chart, with "Love Always Run Away" debuting at number 22. NCT Wish, under SM Entertainment, confirmed a return on 12th October with their fourth mini-album featuring the title track "I SPY", while ILLIT, signed to Hybe's label Belift Lab, announced a comeback on 26th October with their fifth mini-album "BREAK EVEN", marking the start of what promises to be a competitive autumn release season.

10. Retail

Homeplus launched its third Chuseok (Korean harvest festival) price-reduction campaign — "Homeplus is Back: Taming Chuseok Prices" — from 24th September, offering discounts on around 4,000 product lines. Domestic beef (hanwoo) and pork will be cut by up to 50%, grapes and kiwis priced between 5,000 and 19,990 won, and a tray of 30 eggs offered for 3,490 won. G-market is running an autumn travel promotion until 20th November, offering up to 55% off domestic travel packages from 150 products across 90 travel agencies, with accommodation outside the Seoul metropolitan area eligible for discounts of up to 80,000 won when government vouchers and card promotions are combined.

11. Hotels

Seoul's hotels are competing for autumn dining business over the Chuseok holiday. Four Seasons Seoul is offering an afternoon tea set for two at 140,000 won and a truffle tasting course priced at around 170,000 won. Anto is serving a seasonal cake featuring apples and persimmons at 79,000 won. Walkerhill is running a wellness programme combining an autumn foliage walk with wine pairing, targeting both urban "hotelcation" guests and day-trippers.

12. Leisure

Paradise Hotel & Resort is offering a "Sweet Holiday Package" at Paradise City — combining one night in a deluxe suite with dinner and 80,000 won in resort credit — valid until 11th October, alongside children's packages for its Wonderbox theme park. At its Busan property, traditional games and hanbok photo sessions are scheduled for 25th–26th September to mark the Chuseok holiday. Spa Dogo is distributing scratch-card lottery tickets to groups of two or more guests from 24th to 27th September.

13. Capital markets

The KOSPI (South Korea's main stock index) rose 0.15% to close at 7,017.91 on 22nd September, lifted by semiconductor stocks, before gaining a further 0.90% — or 63.01 points — to finish at 7,080.92 on 23rd September as easing Middle East tensions and expectations of a US-China summit summit drew in foreign and institutional buyers. Samsung Electronics (+3.25%) and SK Hynix (+1.2%) led the advance. The secondary KOSDAQ index closed up 0.65% at 839.81. Markets were closed on 24th and 25th September for the Chuseok holiday and resumed normal trading on the morning of 28th September.