SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – The growth in South Korea’s employment insurance registrations reached its lowest point in nearly four years, highlighting a slowdown in the labor market as the country faces a range of economic headwinds. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the number of regular employment insurance subscribers increased by [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s economy is grappling with mounting challenges, as domestic construction downturns and global trade uncertainties weigh heavily on growth prospects, according to a report by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) on December 9. While the report notably avoided direct mention of the ongoing political turmoil surrounding President Yoon [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Korea Bizwire) – Rising exchange rates could push South Korea’s already elevated food prices even higher next year, experts warn, as the country’s heavy reliance on imported food ingredients makes it particularly vulnerable to currency fluctuations. The won has weakened significantly against the dollar in recent weeks, with the exchange rate breaking through 1,400 [...]
POHANG, South Korea, Dec. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — The industrial heart of Pohang, once buoyed by its thriving secondary battery and steel industries, is grappling with a severe economic downturn, underscoring the fragility of the region’s core sectors. The city, home to major players like EcoPro, POSCO Future M, and GS Energy Materials, has been [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean currency fell markedly against the U.S. dollar Wednesday amid political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s now-lifted declaration of emergency martial law. The Korean won opened at 1,418.1 won per dollar, down 15.2 won from the previous session. During the nighttime offshore trading, the won had [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — The country’s top financial regulator said Wednesday that the authorities are ready to mobilize a 10 trillion-won (US$7 billion) stock market stabilization fund to reduce any market volatility in the midst of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s surprise decision to impose martial law, which was later lifted. “We are ready [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – Spending on clothing and footwear in South Korea has dropped to its lowest share of consumer expenditures, as domestic demand remains weak and unseasonably warm weather curbs the need for fall apparel. Data from Statistics Korea shows that in the third quarter of 2024, average monthly consumer spending per [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s economy is expected to operate below its potential capacity for six consecutive years through 2025, according to new projections from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), raising concerns about structural weakness in what was once one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. Among the Group of 7 nations [...]
SEJONG, Nov. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – South Koreans experience their largest per-capita financial deficit of 40.78 million won at age 17 and reach their maximum surplus of 17.53 million won at age 43, according to new government data. Labor income begins declining after peaking at 43, leading to a return to deficit spending at age 61. [...]
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – “All cosmetic samples for just 10,000 won.” Such listings have become increasingly common on Danggeun Market, South Korea’s popular secondhand trading platform, reflecting a growing divide in the nation’s beauty market amid persistent inflation. While some consumers hunt for bargain cosmetics and sample-size products, others flock to luxury brands like [...]