Korean Stock Market News Summary

⚠️ Single-Stock Leveraged ETFs Draw Growing Warnings

The Bank of Korea, in a written response submitted to Rep. Park Sung-hoon of the People Power Party on the 5th, raised concerns over single-stock leveraged ETFs tracking Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix — which together account for over half of the Korean stock market’s capitalization and trading volume. A key red flag highlighted: up to 90% of net assets in these ETFs are changing hands daily, signaling extreme speculative trading activity and potential systemic risk. Regulators are calling for heightened scrutiny of these high-volatility instruments.

📱 Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 Set for London on July 22

Samsung Electronics will hold its Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event in London on July 22, with the Galaxy Fold 3 and Galaxy Glass expected to headline the showcase. Meanwhile, SK Hynix’s U.S. ADR (American Depositary Receipt) offering has already seen strong institutional investor demand, with the bookbuild reportedly oversubscribed ahead of schedule, reflecting robust foreign investor appetite for the chipmaker.

📉 Korean Celebrity “Mija” Quits Stock Investing After SK Hynix Loss

Broadcaster Mija announced she will halt stock investing following backlash from some subscribers after her SK Hynix position suffered losses amid a sharp share price decline. She shared a supportive fan message on the 7th while expressing her feelings since the investment. The incident underscores the risks retail investors face and the social pressures that public figures encounter when sharing investment activities online.

🚗 Hyundai Motor Union Launches Partial Strike Over Wage Dispute

Hyundai Motor’s labor union has commenced a partial strike, with further walkouts planned for July 13–15, raising the prospect of a second consecutive year of industrial action. The two sides remain at odds over base salary increases, performance bonuses, and retirement age extension. Management’s latest proposal includes a monthly base pay hike of ₩89,000, a performance bonus of 350% + ₩10 million, and 15 shares of company stock — but the union has yet to accept the terms.

Sources: Korean financial and general news outlets | Summary date: July 2025