South Korean

Samsung plans to return a record $80 billion payout to its shareholders. The South Korean chipmaker has come under pressure regarding its profits. These bumper profits are attributed to the ongoing AI boom.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries wrapped up their annual drills early in a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea, despite the North stating this was insufficient to restart talks. Following the reduced exercises, North Korea fired short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea, viewing the combined drills as an invasion rehearsal. Diplomatic efforts remain tenuous, with Kim Yo Jong challenging U.S.-SK maneuvers and pointing out that increased leverage for North Korea comes from its modernization programs and expanding ties with Russia.

Samsung, a South Korean chipmaker, is planning a $72 billion shareholder return programme. The company plans to allocate 50% of its free cash flow toward this program, which will include issuing a special dividend.

Donald Trump announced a deal between the US and Canada that delays 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian imports. Additionally, South Korean and U.S. militaries are scaling back joint drills following an order from Trump to reengage with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Domestically, progressive voters elevated a Democrat for Senate in Florida while Byron Donalds won the nomination to be the state’s first Black governor.

Donald Trump announced a deal reached between the U.S. and Canada to delay 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian imports. In other news, joint drills between South Korean and U.S. militaries are being scaled back following an order from Trump. Additionally, primary voters in Florida elevated a progressive Democrat for Senate while Trump’s chosen candidate, Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, won the nomination to be the state’s first Black governor.

The South Korean won strengthened past the key psychological level of 1,400 per dollar for the first time in over ten months. This currency recovery is being extended and fueled by a booming semiconductor industry.

A South Korean defence group is offering $1.2 billion for expansion within the US market. Hanwha Aerospace has submitted a bid for Austal’s American business operations. This specific segment of the business involves selling ships to the navy and coastguard.

Hyundai has become the first major South Korean company to implement internal stablecoin transfers, marking a significant step in corporate adoption of blockchain technology.

President Lee Jae-myung stated that only two South Korean ships remain in the Strait of Hormuz, down from 26 initially stranded after Iran closed the waterway on February 28. An International Maritime Organization-led operation evacuated 115 ships carrying 2,500 crew members last week, but was paused due to renewed US-Iran hostilities following an Iranian drone attack on a cargo ship.