Morning News Briefing: SK Hynix Halts Solidigm's US Listing amid Shareholder Backlash (October 23, 2026)

1. SK Hynix, its sub-subsidiary, has decided to halt the procedures for Solidigm's listing on the U.S. Nasdaq. Through a regulatory filing, SK Hynix explained that it had reviewed various financing options for Solidigm, but considering recent capital market conditions and stock price trends, it determined that a re-evaluation is necessary to decide whether an initial public offering (IPO) is the most advantageous choice for SK Hynix and its existing shareholders. This comes 79 days after plans for the IPO were first made public on August 5. SK Hynix shareholders had previously protested, arguing that Solidigm's listing could negatively impact the company's valuation. Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Chan-jin and Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Uk-won had also intensified pressure by repeatedly emphasizing that such double listings would be subject to regulation.

2. President Lee Jae-myung emphasized that protecting the lives and safety of citizens is a fundamental duty of the state, stating that authorities must approach violent crimes with the resolve of declaring war, in connection with the recent series of relational and motiveless crimes. President Lee made the remarks while chairing an "inter-agency meeting for an ultra-safe society" with the heads of nine related government ministries, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the National Police Agency. President Lee stressed, "These relational and motiveless crimes are serious issues that threaten not only the safety of individual victims but also the safety of society as a whole," adding that "special measures need to be established." In particular, he pointed out that cases are repeatedly occurring where victims are exposed to persistent threats or fail to receive sufficient protection despite reporting the danger, noting that such situations can no longer be left unattended.

3. This leads to a related report. It has been revealed that the metal detector at a probation office was turned off when Choi Choong-nak, who was arrested on charges of attempting to murder 10 people with a weapon at a large commercial facility in Incheon, visited the facility carrying weapons prior to the crime. About two hours before the attack on October 13, Choi visited the Western Branch of the Incheon Probation Office under the Ministry of Justice and had a consultation with a probation officer. At that time, he passed through the gate-style metal detector installed at the probation office while carrying a backpack containing weapons and blunt objects, but no alarm sounded. According to police investigations, staff at the probation office had turned off the metal detector since early this year due to excessive noise. However, police added that the probation officers who turned off the metal detector have not been booked on charges of dereliction of duty.

4. The situation in France has been drawing significant concern lately. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines announced that they will waive cancellation fees for flights to Paris, France. This appears to be a preemptive measure taken as student protests in France, which began with demands for improved educational environments, escalated into violent unrest. According to the notice, Korean Air stated that it will waive fees for refunds on Paris-bound tickets purchased on or before October 21 for departures scheduled between October 21 and November 30 of this year. Fees will also be waived for rescheduling, though passengers must pay any fare differences if the new ticket price is higher. Asiana Airlines announced that it would implement the same measure.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.