 |
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
- Samsung Asset retains top rank on Q3 asset league table with $71 bn ETF portfolio
Samsung Asset Management launches the world’s first US metaverse ETF on the Nasdaq in December 2021 South Korea’s asset management industry swelled in the third quarter, buoyed by a rally in domestic equities and surging investor demand for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Samsung Asset Management Co. is poised to become the country’s first asset manager to surpass 100 trillion won ($71… Read more: Samsung Asset retains top rank on Q3 asset league table with $71 bn ETF portfolio - China’s young consumers drive Korean health supplement boomGinseng and other health food account for a quarter of KT&G’s sales South Korea’s exports of health functional food or health supplements have surged sharply in recent months, fueled by Chinese millennials and Gen Z eager to emulate the looks and lifestyles of K-pop idols. Exports of products such as red ginseng tonics, vitamins and omega-3 capsules reached $43.9 million… Read more: China’s young consumers drive Korean health supplement boom
- Hyundai cuts IONIQ 5 prices in US to deal with end of EV tax subsidyThe Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America) Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s top automaker, on Wednesday lowered the prices of the IONIQ 5 lineup in the US to as automakers in the world’s third-largest electric vehicle market scrambled to deal with the Trump administration’s elimination of the tax credit benefit of up to $7,500 for EV buyers. Hyundai… Read more: Hyundai cuts IONIQ 5 prices in US to deal with end of EV tax subsidy
- Posco International builds Polish motor core plant; Mexico factory due by year-endPOSCO International holds a ceremony to mark the completion of its Polish drive motor core plant in Brzeg, Opole Region, Poland, on Oct. 1, 2025 POSCO International Corp., the energy and trading unit of South Korea’s steel giant POSCO Holdings Inc., said on Thursday it has inaugurated its first European production base for electric vehicle components in Poland, stepping up… Read more: Posco International builds Polish motor core plant; Mexico factory due by year-end
- Korea’s battery material maker Enchem scraps $143 mn US plant planEnchem’s electrolyte plant in the US state of Georgia (File photo) Enchem Co., a South Korean battery material maker, has scrapped its plan to invest $143 million to build a plant in the US due to the protracted downturn in the world’s third-largest electric vehicle market, industry sources in Seoul said on Wednesday. Enchem, the world’s No. 4 electrolyte manufacturer,… Read more: Korea’s battery material maker Enchem scraps $143 mn US plant plan
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- MAMAMOO Solar Stuns in SKM Media October 2025 Cover with Elegant Pictorial Blending K-pop Star Power and Fashion EdgePhoto Credits: SKM Media. RBW Entertainment For the October 2025 issue of SKM Media, MAMAMOO’s Solar steps into a world of bold elegance and refined artistry, capturing the balance between confidence and quiet allure. Known for her commanding stage charisma, Solar transforms effortlessly into a modern muse before the camera—her gaze layered with warmth and intention, her posture telling a story… Read more: MAMAMOO Solar Stuns in SKM Media October 2025 Cover with Elegant Pictorial Blending K-pop Star Power and Fashion Edge
- Lee Hyeri Redefines Modern Elegance in Max Mara for Marie Claire Taiwan October 2025 Issue with Effortless Autumn CharismaPhoto Credits: Marie Claire Taiwan. Max Mara Sublime Artist Agency Lee Hyeri unveils a new facet of her effortless sophistication in the October 2025 issue of Marie Claire Taiwan, gracing the cover in Max Mara’s latest collection. The shoot blends cinematic minimalism with rich textural layering, emphasizing soft beige tones, sculptural outerwear, and understated confidence—perfectly aligned with the Italian house’s timeless… Read more: Lee Hyeri Redefines Modern Elegance in Max Mara for Marie Claire Taiwan October 2025 Issue with Effortless Autumn Charisma
- KATSEYE’s Power Play: i-D 375 “The Beta Issue” Digital Covers Reimagine K-Pop Style with Fierce Pictorials and Symbolic VisionPhoto Credits: i-D Magazine. HYBE Geffen Records KATSEYE continues their meteoric rise in global music and fashion with a striking set of pictorials for the i-D 375 “The Beta Issue,” a digital cover that merges youth culture, high style, and innovative editorial vision. The six-member girl group is featured in bold, monochrome ensembles, most notably showcasing sleek black silhouettes that… Read more: KATSEYE’s Power Play: i-D 375 “The Beta Issue” Digital Covers Reimagine K-Pop Style with Fierce Pictorials and Symbolic Vision
- Baby DON’T Cry Stuns in NYLON JAPAN November 2025 Issue Preview with Bold Pictorial and Rising K-Pop Fashion EdgePhoto Credits: NYLON JAPAN. P Nation The highly anticipated November 2025 issue of NYLON JAPAN has set the stage for one of the most intriguing fashion previews this autumn, spotlighting the rising K-pop group Baby DON’T Cry in a dazzling pictorial spread. Exuding both rebellion and refinement, the photos capture the group balancing effortlessly between edgy streetwear and runway-level polish, giving fans… Read more: Baby DON’T Cry Stuns in NYLON JAPAN November 2025 Issue Preview with Bold Pictorial and Rising K-Pop Fashion Edge
- Jung Jae (정제) : Amber LakeAccording to Jung Jae‘s Spotify profile: “I’m a person who makes various kinds of music by myself.” Then listen to Amber Lake and be amazed. It’s both a forward and nostalgic 11-song full length, At a little over 32 minutes, June Jae makes a big impact. The album is entrenched in rock but adds more pieces from alternative, shoegaze, and… Read more: Jung Jae (정제) : Amber Lake
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
