Telecommunications & Media

Telecom operators\' user protection average score 873 points, down 13 points from year earlier

South Korea\'s Broadcasting Media Communications Commission said an assessment of user-protection work at 47 telecommunications operators showed overall performance fell or was flat from a year earlier. The average score for 39 companies, excluding eight pilot-assessment firms, was 873.3 points, down 13.4 points. Grades for large carriers generally declined. The regulator cited shortcomings among value-added operators and said it would withhold or delay penalty-reduction benefits for top-rated firms.

Fintech

KOSPI surges over 7 percent to reclaim 8,300 level; Kosdaq also back above 1,000

South Korea\'s KOSPI rose more than 7 percent early on Thursday, reclaiming the 8,300 level as investor sentiment improved after overnight gains on Wall Street. Semiconductor heavyweights including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the advance. A buy-side car was triggered for the first time in three sessions as KOSPI200 futures surged. The Kosdaq also jumped, returning above 1,000. The won weakened to 1,521.80 per dollar.