 |
Global trade risk: Citigroup estimates that if the US and China impose over 100% tariffs on each other, Korea’s GDP growth may decline by 0.5 percentage points. If the conflict continues, next year’s growth could drop by up to 2.3 percentage points due to increasing uncertainty. Aging population and consumption: Korea’s population in their 50s and 60s is spending less after retirement due to longer life expectancy. According to a KDI report, each one-year increase in life expectancy reduces average consumption propensity by 0.48 percentage points. Over the past 20 years, GDP rose by 4.1% annually while consumption only grew by 3.0%. Financial markets and politics: Power-related stocks surged around 10% based on political campaign pledges. However, such politically themed stocks are highly volatile and can drop rapidly with any policy reversals or resignations. Real estate market: In March, Seoul apartment transactions reached a 56-month high with 9,259 units traded following the lifting of land-use restrictions. However, April saw a decline due to reintroduced regulations. Mixed-use residential zones close to amenities are increasingly popular, with application competition ratios reaching 50 to 1 in some cases. Corporate news: HD Hyundai recorded over 1 trillion won in quarterly sales from high-voltage transformers, with operating profit increasing 70%. OpenAI expressed interest in acquiring Chrome if Google is forced to divest the asset in antitrust proceedings. Legal and social issues: Korea’s Supreme Court is expediting review of Lee Jae-myung’s case. The government also announced that May 2 will not be designated as a temporary public holiday. International developments: Reports suggest that Putin may halt further military advances if international recognition of Crimea as Russian territory is accepted. Ukraine and the EU remain opposed. In the US, a federal court rejected a request to suspend tariffs, citing lack of evidence of significant harm to small businesses. Market sentiment: Comments from Trump about potentially reducing China tariffs improved investor confidence. This led to a rebound in the dollar, a decline in gold prices, and a six-basis-point drop in 30-year US treasury yields. submitted by /u/BusyWrap7608 |
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- S.Korea corporate law reform gains bipartisan support
Both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party agreed on the proposed amendment to the Commercial Act on July 2 South Korean ruling Democratic Party’s proposal to strengthen protections of minority investors and enhance board independence has secured backing of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), in rare bipartisan support for legislation aimed at delivering on President Lee… Read more: S.Korea corporate law reform gains bipartisan support - Hyundai Rotem seals record $6.5 bn K2 tank deal with PolandHyundai Rotem’s K2 battle tank (Courtesy of Hyundai Rotem) Hyundai Rotem Co., a South Korean defense system developer, will export its battle tanks to Poland in what would be the largest single export deal for the Asian country’s defense industry, valued at $6.5 billion. According to Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on Wednesday, Hyundai Rotem has concluded negotiations with… Read more: Hyundai Rotem seals record $6.5 bn K2 tank deal with Poland
- IGIS Asset resumes sale of KIC-backed Shilla Stay SeodaemunShilla Stay Seodaemun (Courtesy of IGIS Asset Management) Shilla Stay Seodaemun has been put on the market again amid signs of a recovery in South Korea’s hospitality industry, after earlier attempts to sell the four-star hotel in Seoul fell through. IGIS Asset Management recently appointed Deloitte Anjin, a Korean unit of Deloitte, as a new sale manager for the property… Read more: IGIS Asset resumes sale of KIC-backed Shilla Stay Seodaemun
- The wait is over: BTS are back with new album, global tour in spring 2026BTS are back (Courtesy of Yonhap) Now the wait is over. BTS are back – as a full-member group after a four-year hiatus. The seven-member boyband is returning with a new album in spring 2026, followed by a full-scale world tour – their first since their 2022 anthology album Proof and the “Yet to Come” concert in Busan. Members Jin,… Read more: The wait is over: BTS are back with new album, global tour in spring 2026
- Taekwang, Anchor Equity shortlisted for Aekyung stakeAekyung Industrial’s hair care product brand Kerasys Taekwang Industrial Co., a South Korean chemical and textile company, and Anchor Equity Partners, a Hong Kong-based private equity firm, have emerged as leading candidates for a controlling stake in Aekyung Industrial Co. According to sources in the investment banking industry, Samjong KPMG, the lead advisor for the sale of the Korean consumer… Read more: Taekwang, Anchor Equity shortlisted for Aekyung stake
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- KIIRAS Debuts as LeanBranding’s Global Girl Group Featured in MAPS Korea’s 2025 Fall Issue, Energizing K-pop Fans WorldwidePhoto Credits: MAPS Japan. LeanBranding A fresh wave is sweeping through the K-pop scene with the debut of KIIRAS, a six-member girl group launched by LeanBranding on May 29, 2025. This group stands out not only for its dynamic blend of talent but also for its multinational composition, featuring members from South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. The name KIIRAS merges… Read more: KIIRAS Debuts as LeanBranding’s Global Girl Group Featured in MAPS Korea’s 2025 Fall Issue, Energizing K-pop Fans Worldwide
- TWICE Unveils Striking Teaser Photos for ‘THIS IS FOR’ Album, Igniting Global K-Pop ExcitementPhoto Credits: JYP Entertainment TWICE, the powerhouse girl group that has become a global symbol of K-pop excellence, is once again setting the internet abuzz with the release of their teaser photos for their highly anticipated fourth full album, “THIS IS FOR.” The new teaser series, titled “Extraordinary,” showcases each member in an array of vibrant, avant-garde styles that highlight… Read more: TWICE Unveils Striking Teaser Photos for ‘THIS IS FOR’ Album, Igniting Global K-Pop Excitement
- TWS Emerges as K-Pop’s Authentic Voice in NME’s 2025 Spotlight, Fueling Global Fandom GrowthPhoto Credits: NME. Pledis Entertainment The British music magazine NME, a long-standing authority in the global music scene since its founding in 1952, has once again demonstrated its influence by featuring the K-pop boy group TWS on the cover and in a pictorial for its 30th June 2025 issue. NME, originally known for championing rock and alternative music, has evolved… Read more: TWS Emerges as K-Pop’s Authentic Voice in NME’s 2025 Spotlight, Fueling Global Fandom Growth
- Forestella’s 2025 ‘THE WAVE’ Concert in Seoul: A Mesmerizing Fusion of Vocal Artistry and K-pop AppealPhoto Credits: Beat Interactive Forestella, the genre-defying vocal quartet, is making waves once again with the announcement of their highly anticipated 2025 concert, ‘THE WAVE,’ set to take place in Seoul. The release of their concept photos and main poster has sent a ripple of excitement through the K-pop community, showcasing the group’s signature blend of classical vocal prowess and… Read more: Forestella’s 2025 ‘THE WAVE’ Concert in Seoul: A Mesmerizing Fusion of Vocal Artistry and K-pop Appeal
- Miyeon of i-DLE Graces CITER Magazine China July 2025: K-Pop’s Global Influence and the Rise of CITER Among FansPhoto Credits: CITER Magazine China. CUBE Entertainment Miyeon, the acclaimed vocalist of i-DLE, takes center stage as the cover star for CITER Magazine China’s July 2025 issue, marking another milestone in the dynamic relationship between K-pop and Chinese pop culture media. As fans eagerly anticipate the release of Issue 11, the buzz around both Miyeon’s individual artistry and the collective… Read more: Miyeon of i-DLE Graces CITER Magazine China July 2025: K-Pop’s Global Influence and the Rise of CITER Among Fans
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
