Korea Times

• Tech funding in South Korea nearly tripled year-on-year during the first half of 2026, according to data released on Wednesday. • The recovery is characterized as uneven, as a small number of "mega-rounds" specifically targeting artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors drove the majority of the growth. • This trend suggests that while overall capital is increasing, funding is heavily concentrated in a few high-growth sectors rather than being distributed across the broader tech ecosystem.

• President Donald Trump announced that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded to his diplomatic overtures. • This development follows a strategic decision by the United States to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea in Seoul. • The shift in military posture is seen by experts as a critical gesture of goodwill intended to lower tensions on the peninsula.

• Top South Korean male celebrities are increasingly choosing streaming platforms over traditional television for their first projects following mandatory military service. • This shift reflects a broader industry trend where global OTT services offer more creative freedom and wider international reach than domestic broadcast networks. • The transition is significant as it signals a change in the power dynamics of the Korean entertainment ecosystem and how stars manage their brand image post-service.

• President Trump ordered the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, a critical ally in the Asia Pacific region. • In a social media post on Sunday, the President justified the decision by citing his "very good relationship" with South Korean leadership. • Separately, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio has begun demanding documents from a legal firm following allegations of wrongdoing.

• South Korean stocks surged 22% over a 10-day period, driven by a global rebound in the artificial intelligence trade. • The rally is fueled by renewed investor enthusiasm for tech hardware and semiconductors, specifically benefiting major firms like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. • This growth reflects continued massive AI infrastructure spending by global big tech companies, signaling strong demand for high-end chips.

• South Korea has emerged as a critical market barometer for global AI stock trading due to the high dependency of Korean memory chip makers on U.S. tech infrastructure spending. • Data from Rayliant Global Advisors shows the 60-day correlation between the KOSPI and the Nasdaq 100 has risen to approximately 0.50, the highest level since 2021. • This synchronization matters because the earnings outlook for Korean semiconductor firms is now increasingly tied to the investment patterns of American technology giants.

• President Lee Jae Myung urged the government on Monday to expedite the implementation of AI-related investment projects to ensure national competitiveness. • He called for aggressive government action, including the use of deregulation, to remove obstacles hindering the rapid deployment of these technologies. • Lee emphasized that the coming year represents a "golden time" for South Korea, asserting that the nation's future depends on how it prepares for the AI transition.