Daily Briefing · 2026-11-02

Semiconductor exports grew 259.4%, making it certain that annual exports will exceed $1 trillion for the first time ever in November. The KOSPI rose 2.24% to close at 5859.08, supported by buying from pension funds and institutions despite the shock of a sharp plunge in US semiconductor stocks. A North Korean hacking organization stole $6.36 billion from Binance, recording the largest damage amount in history. The scale of bitcoin stolen exceeds the holdings of Tesla and El Salvador, and the funds were found to be laundered through Chinese criminal organizations. A US analysis firm warned that Korean exchanges could be the next target. Binance resumed withdrawals after the hack, but approximately 5 trillion won in customer funds flowed out net within about 9 hours. In response, the Financial Services Commission urgently requested that domestic virtual asset exchanges strengthen security measures. Hoban Group additionally purchased shares in Hanjin Kal, rising to become the largest shareholder, and reported the business combination to the Fair Trade Commission. Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae invested 37 billion won to increase his stake to 6.23%, moving to defend management control. The proportion of livelihood-type credit loans among the bottom 20% in income and assets soared to an all-time high of 45.3%. The won-dollar exchange rate rose into the 1,340 won range, hitting its highest level in two weeks. Daewoo Engineering & Construction's renegotiation with KHNP over the Dukovany nuclear power plant project in the Czech Republic broke down, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy refused the request, saying it has no mediation authority. Among the 151 low-PBR stocks disclosed by the Korea Exchange, 76%, or 115 stocks, rose, strongly reflecting value-up investment sentiment. Korea's domestic securities settlement cycle is set to be shortened from T+2 to T+1 starting in 2028. The Supreme Court finalized a fine of 18.6 billion won against Broadcom for unfair trade practices in coercing Samsung Electronics into a long-term contract. SK Square decided to return 4.3 trillion won of the 6.2 trillion won in SK hynix dividend income to shareholders. POSCO Holdings' third-quarter operating profit increased 47.9%, but POSCO Argentina returned to a loss due to falling lithium prices. S-Oil's third-quarter operating profit surged 513.7% year-on-year, driven by strong lubricant base oil and refining margins. Kia grew 26% year-on-year in October domestic sales, surpassing Hyundai Motor for the first time, but its third-quarter operating profit fell short of market expectations. President Lee Jae-myung announced a 2027 budget plan of 821 trillion won, up 12.8% from the previous year. International gold prices fell below the $4,000 level, hitting their lowest point in a year. HYBE suffered a cyberattack in which employees' ID cards, passports, and medical information were leaked.