SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Korea’s prolonged economic downturn continues, small business owners are increasingly burdened by rising labor costs. A recent analysis shows that small independent business operators employ an average of 1.8 workers per establishment, highlighting the strain on entrepreneurs trying to sustain their workforce. According to data from the [...]
SEJONG, Feb. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s construction industry is facing its worst downturn in years, with employment falling below 2 million workers for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting growing concerns about the broader economic impact of the sector’s prolonged slump. According to the Statistics Korea, construction employment plunged by 169,000 jobs [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — Small business owners in South Korea saw their income drop more than 10 percent from a year earlier in 2024 amid sluggish consumer sentiment, a poll showed Tuesday. According to the survey conducted by Mono Research from January 20 to February 7 on 500 small business owners, the level [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 21 (Korea Bizwire) — Despite a prolonged economic downturn and high interest rates, several prominent South Korean mid-sized companies are actively pursuing major mergers and acquisitions, highlighting a shift in corporate strategy. The number of completed M&A deals valued at over 10 billion won in South Korea reached 474 in 2024, marking a 12% [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Gold and dollar deposits at South Korea’s major banks have reached record highs as investors seek safe-haven assets amid global economic uncertainty and a strong U.S. dollar. According to financial industry data released on February 18, the combined balance of dollar deposits at the country’s five largest banks—KB Kookmin, Shinhan, [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Seoul’s retail sector is entering a slowdown phase as economic stagnation and reduced consumer spending take hold, according to a recent market analysis. Cushman & Wakefield Korea released its Q4 2024 Retail Market Report on Monday, forecasting that persistent inflation, a strong U.S. dollar, and rising household debt burdens [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of self-employed individuals in South Korea who failed to repay their debts increased by 35% in 2024, as high interest rates and prolonged domestic economic stagnation deepened financial distress, new data shows. The burden was particularly severe for those aged 60 and older, with defaults in this group [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned that downside risks to South Korea’s economy remain significant, citing prolonged political uncertainty as a key factor that could dampen investment and consumer sentiment while heightening financial volatility. In its 2024 Annual Consultation Report on South Korea, released on February 7, the IMF [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) – Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday emphasized the importance of close communication with parliament to expedite the passage of a bill designed to enhance the country’s capital markets. The revised bill, which recently failed to pass, includes provisions for corporate tax reductions for high-performing companies and a separate taxation scheme [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea logged a current account surplus for the eighth straight month in December, backed by strong exports and an increased trade surplus, central bank data showed Thursday. The country’s current account surplus reached US$12.37 billion in December, following the surplus of $10.05 billion a month earlier, according to [...]