PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: South Korean earnings updates

JAPAN Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306 JT) - Co.'s digital bank, MUFG Emut Bank, will launch next year without ATM cards, instead requiring smartphone QR-code authentication for withdrawals at around 28,000 Seven Bank ATMs to strengthen cybersecurity. (Nikkei) Nidec (6594 JT) - Co.'s corporate governance and turnaround prospects are facing investor scrutiny, with questions raised over whether the motor maker can rebuild without external assistance. (Nikkei) NTT (9432 JT) - Co. will introduce an AI-powered service to modernise ageing corporate IT systems, aiming to reduce development times by 40% and improve cybersecurity. (Nikkei) Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JT) - Co.'s Don Quijote discount store chain will eliminate tax-free shopping handling fees for foreign tourists to boost spending as Japan introduces new duty-free shopping rules. (Nikkei) Yamato Holdings (9064 JT) - Co. plans to streamline its delivery network, negotiate price increases with major corporate clients and utilise AI to improve profitability, shifting its focus from delivery volumes to margins. (Nikkei) Other News More than 50 companies involved in drones and robotics have established facilities in coastal Fukushima, as the region seeks to become a hub for drones, robotics and rocket development. (Nikkei) Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force plans to integrate missile and artillery control systems at the division level to accelerate battlefield decisions and improve counterattack capabilities. (Nikkei) SOUTH KOREA Hybe (352820 KS) - Co. Q3 (KRW) net profit of 11.3bln (prev. loss Y/Y), operating profit of 188.5bln (prev. loss of 42.2bln Y/Y), preliminary rev. rose 109.8% Y/Y to 1.53trl, driven by BTS' ongoing world tour. (Yonhap) Hyundai Engineering & Construction (000720 KS) - Co. partnered with US-based First American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) to provide engineering and construction services for a next-generation small modular reactor project. (Yonhap) Hyundai Motor (005380 KS) - Co.'s US October vehicle sales rose 5% Y/Y to a record 73,452 units, driven by strong demand for hybrid and electric vehicles. (Yonhap) Kia (000270 KS) - Co.'s US October vehicle sales rose 16% Y/Y to a record 80,008 units, supported by strong demand for hybrid and electric vehicles. (Yonhap) Korea Aerospace Industries (047810 KS) - Co. Q3 (KRW) net fell 51.3% Y/Y to 19bln, operating profit rose 31.9% Y/Y to 79.4bln, rev. rose 51.6% Y/Y to 1.06trl. (Yonhap) LG Household & Healthcare (051900 KS) - Co. Q3 (KRW) net fell 45.3% Y/Y to 12.8bln (exp. 16bln), operating profit rose 52.4% Y/Y to 70.4bln, rev. fell 0.2% Y/Y to 1.57trl. (Yonhap) LG Uplus (032640 KS) - Co.'s CTO said South Korea and Japan could develop synergies in voice AI services ahead of the commercialisation of 6G networks. (Yonhap) POSCO Future M (003670 KS) - Co. said Hyundai Motor Group is considering investing KRW 100bln in the second phase of its artificial graphite anode material plant in Vietnam in exchange for priority purchase rights. (Yonhap) Coupang (CPNG) - Co. Q3 (KRW) net loss of 715.1bln (prev. profit of 131.6bln Y/Y), largely due to warehouse fire-related costs. (Yonhap)