SEOUL, June 16 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean stocks soared to the highest mark in over three years Monday, driven by big gains in the defense, energy and IT sectors. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 52.04 points, or 1.8 percent, to end at [...]
SEOUL, June 16 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced new measures on Sunday to enhance oversight of real estate transactions involving foreign nationals, aiming to address rising concerns over transparency, market disruption, and perceived unequal treatment of domestic buyers. As foreign ownership of property in South Korea increases, Seoul officials plan to scrutinize sources [...]
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) — South Korea’s household debts stood at nearly 1.7 times their disposable income, data showed Sunday, with the pressure for loan repayment driving down consumer spending, potentially triggering an economic recession. The debt-to-income ratio for South Korean households and nonprofit organizations came to 174.7 percent as of end-2024, according to [...]
SEOUL, June 13 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean stocks snapped their seven-day winning streak Friday as rising tensions in the Middle East heightened investors’ risk-off sentiment. The local currency was trading sharply lower against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 25.41 points, or 0.87 percent, to close at 2,894.62. [...]
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 13 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s stock market has soared for six consecutive trading days following the inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung, but retail investors who bet against the rally are now grappling with mounting losses. The benchmark KOSPI index closed above the 2,920 mark on Thursday, up 8.19% since June 4—Lee’s first [...]
SEOUL, June 11 (Korea Bizwire) — President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping vision to revitalize South Korea’s capital markets by promoting dividend-friendly policies, cracking down on unfair trading practices, and positioning equities as a viable alternative to real estate for household investment. Speaking at a roundtable held at the Korea Exchange’s Market Surveillance Committee [...]
SEOUL, June 11 (Korea Bizwire) – Household loans extended by South Korean banks rose sharply in May, central bank data showed Wednesday, driven by an increase in housing transactions. Banks’ outstanding household loans stood at 1,155.3 trillion won (US$845.07 billion) as of end-May, up 5.2 trillion won from a month earlier, according to the data [...]
SEOUL, June 11 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s exports went up 5.4 percent from a year earlier in the first 10 days of this month driven by robust demand for semiconductors and automobiles, data showed Wednesday. Outbound shipments reached US$15.47 billion in the June 1-10 period, compared with $14.68 billion tallied a year earlier, according [...]