All M7 up except Nvidia… Han Duck-soo sentencing hearing today [Morning Briefing]

◆Only Nvidia fell

Overnight, the New York stock market rose alongside expectations of an interest rate cut by the U.S. central bank (Fed). In the early hours at the New York Stock Exchange today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.43%, the S&P 500 index rose 0.91%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.67%. Retail sales data, delayed for release today due to the U.S. federal government shutdown, came in weak, and expectations that the U.S. Fed will cut its policy rate next month appear to have stimulated investor sentiment. By stock, among the 'Magnificent 7' of big tech companies, only Nvidia fell. Nvidia plunged 2.59% to close at 177.82 dollars on assessments that Alphabet, Google's parent company, has developed an AI-specific chip that could threaten Nvidia's dominance.

◆"An agreement to end the war with Ukraine is very close"

U.S. President Donald Trump said that a peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war is very close to being agreed. At the "turkey pardon ceremony" held ahead of Thanksgiving today, President Trump said, "I think we are very close to reaching an agreement on a peace plan," and added, "We will get there." On the 23rd, the U.S. and Ukraine produced a new draft at talks in Geneva, Switzerland, reducing the 28 items of the existing peace plan to 19 items. The new draft reportedly reflected much of Ukraine's position, including increasing the size of the Ukrainian military from 600,000 to 800,000 after the peace agreement.

◆Han Duck-soo's final hearing on charges of aiding and abetting rebellion today

The final hearing for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has been indicted on charges of aiding and abetting rebellion in relation to the 12/3 emergency martial law, will be held today. The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 33 (Presiding Judge Lee Jin-gwan) will hold the final hearing in the case of charges including aiding and abetting the leaders of the rebellion and engaging in important duties in the rebellion at 10 a.m. today. It has been about three months since the former prime minister was indicted without detention by the special prosecution team. Among the cases brought by the special prosecutor for the rebellion, this is the first trial in which the pleadings have concluded. After hearing the prosecution's sentencing recommendation and Han's final statement at today's final hearing, the court plans to hand down its sentence on January 21 or 28 next year. Han is accused of aiding and abetting by not preventing the illegal declaration of martial law, despite having the duty as prime minister to check the abuse of presidential power.

◆Nuri rocket's first night flight tomorrow dawn

The Nuri rocket, the first Korean launch vehicle produced under private-sector leadership, will carry 13 satellites and launch into space at around 1 a.m. tomorrow. The Space Agency and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute will conduct the Nuri rocket's fourth launch at around 0:55 a.m. tomorrow. The mission is to place the primary payload—the next-generation mid-size satellite No. 3—and 12 CubeSats into an altitude of 600km. Today, as launch operations begin, comprehensive checks of all parts will be conducted with a focus on fuel and electrical systems. The Space Agency will comprehensively review technical readiness, the launch window, weather conditions, and the possibility of collisions with space objects to decide the Nuri rocket's final launch time. This launch is expected to be symbolic of the transition from government-led space development to the private sector, with Hanwha Aerospace acting as the system integrator overseeing Nuri's production for the first time.

◆Cloudy nationwide, gradually clearing

Today, Wednesday, the country will be mostly cloudy but gradually clear from the morning. Frost is expected in places mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area and inland Gyeongsang region, and morning temperatures will fall below freezing in northern Gyeonggi, inland and mountainous Gangwon, and inland Gyeongsang, where ice may form. Until morning, fog reducing visibility to less than 1 km is expected mainly in inland Gyeonggi, inland and mountainous Gangwon, and inland North Gyeongsang. Fine dust concentrations are expected to be 'bad' in Chungbuk and the Yeongnam region, and 'good' to 'moderate' in other areas. However, the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon, and Sejong are expected to be temporarily 'bad' in the morning. Daytime highs are forecast at 9–16°C.

No Jeong-dong, Hankyung.com reporter dong2@hankyung.com