Industry

SMRs emerge as 24-7 power option for semiconductor fabs

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a power alternative for semiconductor clusters as electricity demand rises with new fabs while the government reduces coal and LNG generation. Industry is reviewing building SMRs near chip plants because they can provide steady 24-hour output. Power supply is urgently needed for new clusters in Yongin and the southwest, but domestic SMR deployment is expected to lag fab completion. Licensing and planning timelines remain uncertain.

Finance

KOSPI rebounds after 8 sessions; Kosdaq triggers buy-sidecar

South Korea\'s KOSPI snapped a seven-session rout and rose 2.05 percent on Oct. 16 to close at 5,668.05. The index opened higher and climbed to the 5,800 level during the session before paring gains. The Kosdaq surged 4.46 percent to 794.78, briefly regaining 800 and triggering a buy-sidecar that halted program buy orders for five minutes. The won strengthened against the dollar.