Naver’s commerce business is extending a steep growth run, with its share of total revenue topping 30 percent for the first time and shopping app users reaching record highs. Multiple factors are seen driving the gains, including a revamped fee structure, expansion of overseas consumer-to-consumer platforms, efforts to strengthen fresh food offerings and the introduction of a shopping AI agent. Brokerages expect strong growth to continue this year.

South Korean brokerages are announcing unusually large shareholder return policies ahead of annual meetings. Korea Investment Holdings approved a cash dividend of 8,690 won per common share, up 118.1% from a year earlier. Mirae Asset Securities combined cash and stock dividends and included a treasury share cancellation. Samsung Securities and Kiwoom Securities set high per-share dividends, while smaller firms such as Hanyang Securities and DB Securities posted high dividend yields.