PRE-MARKET SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) plans over KRW 110tln (exp. 65tln) of capex and R&D spending during 2026 and is seeking meaningful M&A for robots, medical tech, auto electronics and HVAC; Japanese markets are closed

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Co. plans over KRW 110tln (exp. 65tln) of capex and R&D spending during 2026 and is seeking meaningful M&A for robots, medical tech, auto electronics and HVAC, while it was also reported that the Co. is to close its TV plant in Slovakia. (Yonhap)Samsung Life Insurance (032830 KS) - Co. said it will sell around KRW 1.32trln worth of its shares in Samsung Electronics. (Yonhap)SK Hynix (000660 KS) - Co. is targeting TSMC’s 3nm process to power its HBM4E chips as it looks to challenge Samsung. (ChosunBiz)Energy - Qatar may have to declare a force majeure on long-term LNG contracts with South Korea and others. (Yonhap)