Finance

KOSPI drops 5 percent a day after record rebound, raising questions over August outlook

South Korea's KOSPI fell more than 5 percent on the first trading day of August, a day after posting a record rebound, as foreign and retail trading flows flipped. Analysts said it was too early to view the bounce as a trend reversal. The won-dollar exchange rate, semiconductor earnings confidence, U.S. rate direction and global risk appetite were cited as key variables. Brokers largely expect gradual recovery rather than a V-shaped rebound.

Games & Commerce

Game industry expands in-house payment networks to cut fees and reach users directly

South Korean game companies are accelerating efforts to build in-house payment systems that sell directly to users without going through app markets. The goal is to cut platform fees and improve profitability while securing payment data and direct user touchpoints. Krafton completed a strategic investment in Neon Commerce, which supports web stores, payments and tax and regulatory compliance. Major publishers are widening off-app payment routes, but success depends on whether users actually switch to them.