SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — The volume of corporate bonds maturing in the first quarter of 2025 has risen sharply, marking a 27% increase compared to the same period last year. According to Yonhap Infomax on January 9, the total amount of general corporate bonds set to mature this quarter stands at ₩24.92 trillion, up [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — A new study has revealed that individuals who have previously filed claims for private medical insurance not only visit hospitals more frequently but also spend more on outpatient care compared to those who haven’t filed claims. According to research published in the recent issue of the Korean Journal of Hospital [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — A new survey reveals that one in three small business owners in Korea increased their borrowing in 2024, highlighting the ongoing financial challenges faced by the sector. According to a study released on January 8 by the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ), 34.9% of small business owners who hold loans [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Global investment banks are increasingly sounding alarm bells over South Korea’s unprecedented low growth trajectory amid continuing political instability, with attention turning to a potential interest rate cut in January. JP Morgan has issued the most pessimistic outlook, projecting just 1.3% growth for the country in 2025, as domestic economic [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s National Health Insurance (NHI) system achieved a surplus for the fourth consecutive year in 2024, with its reserve fund reaching a record 29.7 trillion won, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) announced on January 7. In 2024, NHI revenue totaled 99 trillion won, while expenditures amounted to [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s stock market stumbled on January 7 after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revealed at CES 2025 that the company’s new GeForce RTX graphics processing unit (GPU) will use DRAM supplied by Micron Technology, sidelining Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The announcement cooled investor sentiment, halting the recent rally that [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — Chey Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, highlighted the pressing challenges of global economic shifts during the “2025 Seoul New Year’s Meeting” on January 6. Speaking at the Seoul Chamber of Commerce in Jung-gu, he identified three major disruptions—U.S.-led tariff hikes, inflationary [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — A 30-year-old loan shark who allegedly drove a single mother to suicide through relentless harassment and threats has been indicted and will face trial, South Korean prosecutors announced on January 3, 2025. The suspect, identified only as A, was charged with violating multiple laws, including the Act on Registration of [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s population distribution continues to tilt heavily toward the Seoul metropolitan area, with the gap between urban and rural populations reaching an all-time high in 2024, according to government data released on January 3, 2025. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s population statistics show that the metropolitan area, [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Advertising industry experts predict a significant downturn in South Korea’s advertising market this year, citing growing political uncertainties and deteriorating economic conditions. The absence of major sporting events like the Olympics or World Cup has further dampened prospects for market recovery. As concerns mount over economic growth potentially dropping to [...]