More mid-sized and small companies are entering advanced industries using South Korea’s corporate restructuring scheme. The Industry Ministry panel approved 31 firms in three rounds from December to July, with plans to invest 439.5 billion won over five years and hire 927 people. Many shift existing process technologies into new markets such as semiconductor glass substrates, AR modules and EV components. The ministry is offering investment-attraction consulting, while petrochemicals pursue capacity cuts through separate restructuring projects.

Kiwoom Securities posted stronger-than-expected results for the second quarter, helped by rising trading value in the domestic stock market and solid performance in its sales and trading business. The firm reported operating profit of 789 billion won, up 93.2 percent from a year earlier, and revenue of 16.07 trillion won, up 256.7 percent. Net profit rose 119.4 percent to 681 billion won.