National Economic Council

Korean chipmakers South Korea asks US for tailored approach to chip tariffs

South Korea has officially requested that the US take a distinct approach in its ongoing probe into foreign semiconductor technology and related dow...

Economy Korea’s Q1 economic contraction adds to stimulus expectations

South Korea's economy unexpectedly contracted in the first quarter as exports and consumption fell amid a political crisis and fears over the impact...

Central bank BOK stands pat; rate cut likely within 3 months as economic growth slows

The Bank of Korea (BOK) left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.75% on Thursday, with Governor Rhee Chang-yong warning that a surge in globa...

Aerospace & Defense South Korean defense industry thriving on strong overseas demand

The South Korean defense industry's current heyday is expected to continue for a while as global demand for Korean-made weapons and combat systems h...

Retail Koreans cut spending in March, except on health, education

South Korean consumers exhibited recessionary spending behavior in March, cutting expenditures across nearly all sectors, except healthcare and educ...

Retail Koreans cut spending in March, except on health, education

South Korean consumers exhibited recessionary spending behavior in March, cutting expenditures across nearly all sectors, except healthcare and educ...

Pension funds NPS gears up for investment overhaul with boost in risk assets

South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS), the country’s largest institutional investor, is set to overhaul its investment strategy w...

Shipping & Shipbuilding S.Korean shipbuilders rally as Trump hints at buying foreign ships

South Korean shipbuilding stocks soared on Friday on news that US President Donald Trump indicated that the world’s No. 1 economy may purchase...

Business & Politics S.Korean court to rule on impeached President Yoon’s fate April 4

South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Friday will give its ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached in December for declaring mart...

E-commerce Luxury fashion platform Balaan files for court receivership amid slump

South Korea’s top luxury goods e-commerce platform Balaan Co. said on Monday it has filed for corporate rehabilitation with a Seoul court as t...

Business & Politics S.Korea wary of inclusion on US ‘Dirty 15’ nations list for reciprocal tariffs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The US government plans to unveil country-specific reciprocal tariffs on April 2, with particular attention to nations impo...

Shipping & Shipbuilding HD Hyundai, Hanwha to tap into $242 billion US Navy warship market

South Korea’s two warship builders – HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and Hanwha Ocean Co., – are set to ride tailwinds in their bi...

Mergers & Acquisitions Meta in talks to acquire Korean fabless chip startup FuriosaAI: Forbes

Meta Platforms Inc., the parent of Facebook and Instagram, is in talks to acquire Seoul-based AI chip startup FurisosaAI Inc. and the discussion cou...

Tech, Media & Telecom South Korea’s alternative data pioneer KED Aicel in full force

South Korea’s leading alternative data service provider Hankyung Aicel Inc. is poised to transform companies' and investors’ business an...

Central bank BOK lowers growth forecasts to bolster rate cut expectations

South Korea’s central bank slashed its economic growth forecasts on Monday, adding to views that the monetary authority will cut interest rate...

Mergers & Acquisitions Korea Zinc, MBK-Young Poong alliance to fight over cumulative voting

The battle over Korea Zinc Inc.'s management control between Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-birm and the Young Poong Corp.-MBK Partners alliance has n...

Food & Beverage S.Korea's exports of snack exceed $700 mn mark in 2024

South Korea's confectionery exports from January to November last year increased 16.5% year over year surpassing $700 million for the first time, ac...

Economy Korea’s 2024 exports hit all-time high, driven by chips, shipments to China

South Korea’s exports, the country’s main growth driver, reached an all-time high in 2024, buoyed by strong semiconductor exports and a ...

Alternative investments Korean pension funds raise bets on infrastructure, global stocks

South Korean pension funds are raising their bets on infrastructure and global stocks, while reducing exposure to the domestic stock market on a dow...

Business & Politics Korea’s new acting president assures economy resilient, security tight

South Korea’s new Acting President Choi Sang-mok said on Friday he is confident that the country’s economy is resilient and its national...

Automobiles Korea’s commercial vehicle sales tumble on economic slowdown

South Korea’s commercial vehicle sales are plunging on sluggish domestic demand amid a slowdown in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.Local s...

Corporate restructuring NPS steps back from Doosan Robotics' Bobcat merger

The National Pension Service (NPS) appears to be stalling on a vote for Doosan Robotics Inc.'s merger with Doosan Bobcat Inc., with major proxy advi...

Economy South Korea’s economic system remains resilient: finance minister

The South Korean economy is solid, and the government will take “bold and swift’’ actions if needed to stabilize Asia’s four...

Business & Politics S.Korea's Yoon survives impeachment; economic fundamentals firm

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment vote against him after an overwhelming majority of governing party lawmakers boycotted ...

Economy Korean economic policy chiefs play down martial law impact

South Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said on Friday that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law attempt will have a very l...

Venture capital S.Korean gov't eases restrictions on Korean investment in overseas startups

The companies founded by South Korean nationals abroad will be recognized as domestic companies if they contribute to the Korean economy, making it ...

Batteries South Korea approves Korea Zinc’s precursor as national core technology

South Korea has designated Korea Zinc Inc.'s precursor manufacturing process as a national core technology and advanced industrial technology, effec...

Electronics LG Electronics to conduct safety training using VR

South Korea's home appliance giant LG Electronics Inc. announced on Wednesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Nation...

Economy State-run think tank KDI slashes GDP forecast, urges BOK to cut rates

The Korea Development Institute (KDI), South Korea’s state-run think tank, has slashed its forecasts for the country’s economic growth f...

Korean startups Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to invest $5 mn in S.Korea’s Musicow  

US entertainment tycoon Jay-Z’s Roc Nation is expected to invest about $5 million in Musicow Inc., South Korea’s music copyright trading...