1. Semiconductors
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix had a turbulent week. Both stocks rallied sharply on 23 July — up 3.65% and 4.86% respectively — only to plunge 7–8% the following day. The reversal was triggered by a combination of surging oil prices and bond yields amid escalating Middle East tensions, and a sell-off in US semiconductor stocks after Alphabet's announcement of stepped-up artificial intelligence investment raised concerns about deteriorating cash flows. Foreign and institutional investors each offloaded a net 86 billion won worth of shares in the two companies. Market attention is now focused on SK Hynix's second-quarter results, due on 29 July.
2. Substrates
Daeduck Electronics disclosed on 20 July that it would invest 497 billion won in new semiconductor production equipment and associated facilities — its second major capital commitment in as many months, following a 213 billion won outlay announced in May. The expansion is designed to meet growing demand for high-value package substrates, including FC-BGA (flip-chip ball grid array), a critical component in advanced chip packaging. The announcement sent the company's shares up 3–5%.
3. Internet
Research firm Wise App·Retail reported on 21 July that Coupang — South Korea's dominant e-commerce platform — retained the top spot by average monthly payment volume in the first half of 2026, but that Naver and its payments arm Naver Pay had closed the gap considerably. Naver had flagged on 20 July that strengthening its delivery infrastructure — long considered an Achilles' heel — would be central to its commerce strategy. Separately, data published on 19 July revealed that Kakao and Naver spent approximately 34 billion won and 66 billion won respectively on cybersecurity last year, drawing fresh attention to data-protection risks across the platform sector.
4. Shipbuilding
Four of South Korea's leading shipbuilders — Hanwha Ocean, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), Samsung Heavy Industries, and HJ Shipbuilding — signed a series of deals with American companies and universities on 23 July (local time) on the sidelines of the inaugural Korea-US Shipbuilding Partnership Centre (KUSPC) opening ceremony in Washington DC. HD KSOE signed a formal agreement with Siemens Digital Industries Software to adopt a "next-generation marine platform"; Hanwha Ocean agreed to collaborate on the design of strategic transport vessels; Samsung Heavy Industries focused on unmanned surface vessels and LNG carriers. Together, the four firms are broadening their role in America's shipbuilding revival — spanning warship design, AI-enabled shipyards, and workforce training.
5. Defence
Hanwha Aerospace confirmed on 21 July that it had priced a $500m (approximately 741 billion won) US dollar-denominated bond offering aimed at institutional investors in Europe, Asia, and beyond. Meanwhile, Spanish media reports on 22 July raised concerns that the country's prospective purchase of the K9 self-propelled howitzer — one of South Korea's flagship defence exports — could face complications. A shift in the working relationship between Spanish defence firms Indra and Santa Bárbara has reportedly put the contract structure at risk, with possible penalties hanging over the deal.
6. K-pop
BTS performed the halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 20 July (Korean time), becoming the first act to headline such a show in the tournament's history. The group performed "Dynamite" alongside more than 24 backing dancers in a set overseen by Coldplay's Chris Martin as creative director. The performance was widely seen as another milestone for K-pop's global standing. Separately, in the latest weekly chart compiled by Hanteo Chart for the third week of July, aespa topped the World Chart, while (G)I-DLE placed first in the world streaming index.
7. Leisure
Paradise City, the integrated resort complex in Incheon, hosted "Waterbomb" — a popular outdoor water festival — at its hotel pool on 22–23 July to draw visitors during the peak summer holiday season. High1 Resort, operated by Kangwon Land (South Korea's only domestic casino open to residents), announced on 24 July that it would launch an integrated entertainment brand called "High1 Wonderbus" from 25 July through 31 August, featuring concerts and festivals spanning multiple genres across the resort.