SEOUL, June 18 (Korea Bizwire) — The Bank of Korea has raised alarm over South Korea’s persistently high cost of essential goods, warning that it is outpacing both inflation and global averages, and is stifling consumer spending—particularly among low-income households. In a report released Wednesday, the central bank found that from the onset of the [...]
SEOUL, June 18 (Korea Bizwire) – Essential living costs in South Korea are significantly higher than those in other major nations, hindering the recovery of consumer spending, the central bank said Wednesday. South Korea’s price indices for food, clothing and housing stood at 151, 161 and 123, respectively, based on the average price level of [...]
SEOUL, June 16 (Korea Bizwire) — Global investors are showing renewed confidence in South Korea’s stock market, with over ₩1 trillion (US$770 million) pouring into the iShares MSCI Korea ETF (ticker: EWY) this month alone—the highest monthly inflow in 18 months. The U.S.-listed exchange-traded fund, which offers global investors passive exposure to Korea’s leading equities, has [...]
SEOUL, June 15 (Korea Bizwire) — For many South Korean households, the rising cost of everyday groceries is no longer just an inconvenience—it’s a growing burden. From fresh eggs to packaged snacks, the price tags lining supermarket shelves are fueling consumer frustration and prompting government action. According to data released Sunday, South Korea ranked as [...]
SEOUL, June 13 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s economic recovery remains elusive, hampered by fragile domestic demand and worsening export conditions, as the government warns of persistent downward pressures that have now stretched into a sixth consecutive month. In its latest monthly economic report, known as the Green Book, the Ministry of Economy and Finance painted [...]
SEOUL, June 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Foreign investment in South Korean securities recorded the largest net inflow in nearly two years in May, supported by easing domestic political uncertainties and reduced concerns over the United States’ trade policy, the central bank said Friday. Offshore investors purchased a net US$9.29 billion worth of local stocks and [...]
SEOUL, June 12 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s top central banker on Wednesday emphasized the urgent need for economic stimulus to support recovery but warned of “serious side effects” if the government relies too heavily on such measures. Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Rhee Chang-yong made the remarks during a speech at a ceremony marking [...]
SEOUL, June 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Leading global investment banks have begun upgrading their forecasts for South Korea’s economic growth in 2025, citing expectations of fiscal stimulus from the new administration and easing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. After months of downward revisions driven by sluggish domestic consumption and weak exports, institutions such [...]
SEOUL, June 7 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea must embrace bold structural reforms and innovation to avoid falling into a prolonged period of low growth similar to Japan’s post-bubble stagnation, the Bank of Korea (BOK) warned in a policy report released shortly after President Lee Jae-myung’s inauguration. In its report titled “Lessons from the Japanese [...]
SEOUL, June 6 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean brokerage stocks are soaring on renewed optimism over the new administration’s stock market revitalization agenda, fueling a dramatic uptick in leveraged retail investing. But analysts warn that selective, fundamentals-based investment is now essential as market differentiation is expected to intensify. According to data compiled by Yonhap Infomax, credit-based [...]