The stock was trading at 15,480 won ($10.93) as of 2:37 p.m., up 40.73 percent from its IPO price of 11,000 won. It more than doubled to an intraday high of 24,600 won before giving back some of the gains.
The strong debut comes as the company expands from commercial maritime equipment into defense-related satellite systems.
Founded in 2001, KNS develops equipment that connects ships and military systems to satellites. It introduced its first maritime very small aperture terminal, or VSAT, antenna in 2003 and became the first company in Asia to locally develop an antenna for submarines in 2021.
Its push into defense has brought major military contracts. KNS has secured 33.1 billion won in orders for the country’s second-generation naval satellite communications system, known as MOSCOS-II, along with about 6 billion won for ANASIS, a separate military satellite communications program.
Sales have also grown, though the company has yet to turn a profit. Revenue rose to 17.8 billion won last year from 13.5 billion won a year earlier, although it posted an operating loss for a second straight year. The company expects to turn profitable as work on the naval project secured last year picks up this year.
Chief Executive Jin Byung-wook said the company plans to build on its satellite antenna technology to expand into overseas defense and next-generation satellite communications markets.
AJP Takeaways
• KNS Inc. shares traded at 15,480 won as of 2:37 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2026, up 40.73 percent from the satellite communications equipment maker's IPO price of 11,000 won on its KOSDAQ debut.
• KNS Inc. shares reached an intraday high of 24,600 won on Aug. 13, 2026, more than double the company's IPO price.
• KNS Inc., founded in 2001, develops satellite communications equipment for maritime and defense applications and became the first company in Asia to locally develop an antenna for submarines in 2021.
• KNS Inc. recorded 17.8 billion won in revenue in 2025, up from 13.5 billion won in 2024, but posted an operating loss for a second consecutive year.
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