SEJONG, Sept. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s economy is showing signs of a downturn, with domestic demand struggling to gain momentum. Analysts attribute this trend to the reduction in household discretionary income, a consequence of high interest rates and inflation. According to data from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) released on September 2, the [...]
SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — The finance ministry said Monday it will push to reduce 32.1 trillion won (US$24.01 billion) of debt incurred by 14 financially troubled public companies combined by 2026 through asset sales and organization restructuring. According to the revised financial management plan, the government set the target debt amount for Korea [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 31 (Korea Bizwire) –As menu prices in South Korea’s restaurant industry continue to climb, a heated debate has erupted between the country’s leading food delivery app, Baedal Minjok (Baemin), and restaurant owners over who bears responsibility for the increases. Restaurant chains point to the rising commission fees charged by delivery apps, particularly Baemin, [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — The government’s proposal of maintaining a tight budget in 2025 illustrated its commitment to fiscal policy normalization amid the tax revenue shortfall, but calls for greater fiscal policy roles have also grown in the face of weak domestic demand and longer-term growth momentum, experts said Tuesday. The finance ministry [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – The combined debt of the South Korean government and households has surged past 3 quadrillion won for the first time, according to recent data from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Bank of Korea. This milestone, reached at the end of the second quarter, equates to 127% of [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s fiscal deficit surpassed 100 trillion won (US$73.51 billion) during the first half of 2024 amid weak corporate performances and rising state expenditures, data showed Wednesday. The managed fiscal balance, a key gauge of fiscal health calculated on a stricter term, posted a deficit of 103.4 trillion won [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea’s aging population rapidly expands, a government-funded research institute is warning that the country’s age-friendly industry is failing to keep pace, potentially missing out on a significant economic opportunity. The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET) released a report on August 7 highlighting the disconnect between [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean stocks tumbled by the most on record to a near nine-month low Monday amid intensifying fears over a U.S. economic slowdown, with big tech coming under heavy selling. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) plummeted a record [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s inflation picked up pace in July on high prices of fruits and petroleum products, though it stayed below 3 percent for the fourth consecutive month, data showed Friday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2.6 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2.4 percent increase [...]
SEOUL, Jul. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — The economic recovery in South Korea has strengthened on solid exports, the manufacturing sector, and domestic demand showing signs of recovering, the finance ministry said Friday. The Ministry of Economy and Finance made the assessment in the Green Book, its monthly economic assessment report, while pointing to prolonged geopolitical [...]