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  • Cryptocurrency

    Korea Investors Service prepares to rate credit in digital finance

    Korea Investors Service (KIS) is developing new criteria to assess the credit risks of digital financial products as tokenized securities and stablecoins become more integrated into the mainstream financial system. The Moody's affiliate said Monday that digital financial products can carry risks that differ from those of conventional products, even when they have the same credit rating. "While automation and instant settlement can reduce costs, reliance on the platforms, smart contracts and on-chain settlement that enable them can also create new channels through which disruptions and losses spread," Chung Hyuk-jin, head of KIS' credit standards group, said at a media briefing. Chung said credit assessments of digital financial products should incorporate technological risks alongside traditional measures such as an issuer's repayment capacity, the credit quality of underlying assets, collateral and repayment priority. KIS groups those risks into four categories: platform risk, smart-contract risk, external risk and risks related to the representation of legal rights. Stablecoins have bec

    2 MIN READBy Lee Yeon-woo
    Korea Investors Service prepares to rate credit in digital finance
  • Others

    COVER STORY Middle-aged Koreans largely look to national pension for post-retirement safety net

    3 MIN READBy Jun Ji-hye
    [COVER STORY] Middle-aged Koreans largely look to national pension for post-retirement safety net
  • Policy

    Gov't plans 1.19 mil. public sale, rental homes amid housing price pressures

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Gov't plans 1.19 mil. public sale, rental homes amid housing price pressures
  • Economy

    KOSPI regains 7,000 as Samsung Electronics shares surge on record chip exports

    1 MIN READBy Park Han-sol
    KOSPI regains 7,000 as Samsung Electronics shares surge on record chip exports
  • Policy

    BOK launches pilot program for 24-hour offshore won settlement

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    BOK launches pilot program for 24-hour offshore won settlement
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Economy

Korean won slides further against U.S. dollar on foreign selloff of local stocks

The Korean won weakened further against the U.S. dollar Thursday, due to the steady selling of local stocks by foreign investors. The won was quoted at 1,555.8 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 0.9 won from the previous session, with the exchange rate remaining at the 1,550-level for the second consecutive day. The won opened at 1,552.3 won per dollar, up 2.6 won from the previous session, after remarks by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh that inflation expectations had moderated. On Wednesday, the won hit its weakest level since March 5, 2009, slumping to 1,554.9 won to the dollar at the close of onshore trading. Foreign investors sold a net 4.3 trillion won ($2.7 billion) worth of local stocks on Thursday, remaining net sellers of local stocks for the 10th consecutive trading session. Earlier in the day, Vice Finance Minister Huh Chang said the government is ready to take measures to stabilize the foreign exchange market if necessary. Huh said the exchange rate is "misaligned" given the nation's economic fundamentals.

Jul 2, 2026By Yonhap
Korean won slides further against U.S. dollar on foreign selloff of local stocks
Economy

BOK expects inflation to ease in July on lower crude oil prices

Inflation is expected to ease in July from the previous month, supported by the government's efforts to stabilize consumer prices and lower crude oil prices following eased tensions in the Middle East, the central bank said Thursday. "Consumer prices in June expanded further from May as petroleum product prices remained elevated and the increase in agricultural product prices accelerated," Deputy Gov. Lee Ji-ho said during a meeting to review inflation trends. "Inflation is projected to remain elevated for the time being as downward pressure from lower crude oil prices will be offset by demand-side pressure stemming from economic growth," he said. Earlier in the day, government data showed that Korea's consumer prices rose 3.2 percent in June from a year earlier, marking the steepest growth since December 2023, when the figure was at the same level. In May, consumer prices rose 3.1 percent. Fuel prices surged 24.7 percent last month, contributing 0.93 percentage point of the overall increase in consumer prices. It was the sharpest growth since 35.2 percent posted in July 2022. Prices of a

Jul 2, 2026By Yonhap
BOK expects inflation to ease in July on lower crude oil prices
Economy

KOSPI drops 5% below 8,000 on US tech losses

Korea's bourse operator on Thursday activated a sell-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as the index tumbled on heavy selling in semiconductor shares. Program trading for the KOSPI-listed shares was suspended for five minutes shortly after the market opened, according to the Korea Exchange (KRX). After opening 4.46 percent lower, the KOSPI fell 446.8 points, or 5.34 percent, to 7,856.61 as of 9:08 a.m. The benchmark index came under pressure as investors dumped semiconductor stocks, tracking an overnight selloff in U.S. technology shares. A sell-side sidecar is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index falls 5 percent or more for at least one minute.

Jul 2, 2026By Yonhap
KOSPI drops 5% below 8,000 on US tech losses
Economy

Consumer prices rise to highest in 30 months in June on Middle East war impact

Korea's consumer prices rose more than 3 percent from a year earlier for two straight months in June, reflecting the lingering impact of the Middle East war on supply chains and oil prices, data showed Thursday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, increased 3.2 percent last month from a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. It marked the sharpest increase since December 2023, when the figure was at the same level. Prices of industrial products rose 4.4 percent, driven largely by higher fuel prices. The data ministry said fuel prices shot up 24.7 percent, contributing 0.93 percentage point of the overall increase in consumer prices. It was the sharpest growth since 35.2 percent posted in July 2022. In detail, gasoline prices rose 23.1 percent and diesel prices jumped 33.7 percent. Korea relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs. Prices of agricultural and fishery products rose 3.2 percent, led by increases in the prices of domestic beef and rice, which climbed 7.5 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively. The price of green onions, a staple

Jul 2, 2026By Yonhap
Consumer prices rise to highest in 30 months in June on Middle East war impact
Economy

Won nears 1,560 on strong dollar, foreign stock selling

The Korean won weakened to 1,559 per dollar in intraday trading Wednesday, showing little sign of stabilizing despite suspected intervention by currency authorities. The won-dollar exchange rate closed at 1,554.9 in Seoul's onshore trading, up 5.5 won from the previous session, marking the local currency's weakest close since March 2009 during the global financial crisis. The rate opened at 1,549.8 and breached the closely watched 1,550 level during the session, climbing as high as 1,559 before paring gains amid dollar-selling by exporters and caution over possible official intervention. Foreign exchange authorities spent a record $22.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 and another $13.6 billion in the first quarter of this year to help support the won. Still, broad dollar strength driven by the Federal Reserve’s hawkish outlook, coupled with the won’s tendency to track weakness in the yen, is putting renewed upward pressure on the exchange rate. Foreign selling in Korean equities is adding to pressure on the currency. Overseas investors net sold 148 trillion won of KOSPI-listed

Jul 1, 2026By Lee Yeon-woo
Won nears 1,560 on strong dollar, foreign stock selling
Economy

30 years on, Kosdaq struggles to regain investors' trust

As Kosdaq marks its 30th anniversary on Wednesday, the government is moving to weed out marginal firms and promote higher-quality companies in a broad overhaul aimed at restoring investor confidence. During a ceremony held at Conrad Seoul hotel, Korea Exchange (KRX) Chairman and CEO Jeong Eun-bo reaffirmed plans to structurally reform the junior tech-heavy market. "The buildup of marginal companies has weighed on the broader market's valuation and made it vulnerable to unfair trading practices," Jeong said. "The goal is to replace weaker firms with innovative technology companies and help them grow into stronger listed businesses." Starting Wednesday, the market capitalization threshold for delisting will be raised to 20 billion won ($12.9 million) from the current 15 billion won. Penny stocks trading below 1,000 won will also become eligible for delisting. KRX expects the tougher rules to sharply increase the number of delisted companies, from eight in 2023 and 38 last year to about 88 this year. Another proposal calls for a "promotion-and-relegation" system, under which the market woul

Jul 1, 2026By Lee Yeon-woo
30 years on, Kosdaq struggles to regain investors' trust
Economy

Korea's monthly exports hit $100 bil. for 1st time in June

Korea's monthly exports hit a fresh high by surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time in June, amid the record-breaking performance of chips, data showed Wednesday. Outbound shipments surged 70.9 percent on-year to $102.25 billion in June, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Imports rose 30.1 percent on-year to $66.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $36.15 billion. It also marked the first time that the monthly trade balance has surpassed $30 billion. Exports of semiconductors nearly tripled to reach $44.82 billion, with monthly exports surpassing $40 billion for the first time on the back of surging demand for memory chips. Outbound shipments of computer products soared more than 300 percent to $5.41 billion as global tech companies expanded investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, the ministry added. Exports of mobile devices also jumped 51.9 percent to $1.55 billion amid growing demand for new smartphones. The data showed automobile exports rising 5.8 percent to $6.71 billion following the stabilization of auto parts supplies. Ou

Jul 1, 2026By Yonhap
Korea's monthly exports hit $100 bil. for 1st time in June
Economy

Seoul shares return gains late Wednesday morning on tech sell-off

Seoul stocks returned earlier gains late Wednesday morning, as investors offloaded semiconductors and large-cap tech shares. After opening sharply higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) changed its trajectory, to fall 272.5 points, or 3.21 percent, to 8,203.98, as of 11:20 a.m. Overnight, U.S. stocks closed higher on a continued chip rally, while investors closely watched developments regarding peace talks between Washington and Tehran. The two sides are expected to meet in Qatar's capital this week for further negotiations. The decline also came as Black Rock Inc. downgraded its view on emerging-market equities, including South Korea, citing concentration risks in artificial intelligence (AI)-related companies. In Seoul, most market heavyweights were trading lower. Top-cap Samsung Electronics fell 5.39 percent, while its rival SK hynix dipped 4.53 percent. Industry leader Hyundai Motor retreated 3.74 percent, battery maker LG Energy Solution slid 4.01 percent, and leading financial company KB Financial moved down 2.45 percent. The Korean won was quoted at 1,558.3 wo

Jul 1, 2026By Yonhap
Seoul shares return gains late Wednesday morning on tech sell-off
Policy

Market braces for pension fund's stock rebalancing

The National Pension Service (NPS) is expected to resume rebalancing its domestic equity portfolio on Wednesday after its allocation to local stocks climbed well above this year’s target, market analysts said Tuesday. They warn that the move could generate selling pressure of as much as 74 trillion won ($48 billion), adding to downside risks if it coincides with continued foreign investors’ selling of Korean equities. Data from Daishin Securities showed that domestic equities accounted for an estimated 30 percent of the NPS portfolio as of Friday, exceeding its 2026 target allocation of 20.8 percent by 9.2 percentage points. The pension fund periodically adjusts its asset mix to keep each asset class in line with its long-term strategic allocation. When an asset’s share moves too far above or below its target level, the NPS sells assets it holds in excess and increases exposure to those it is underweight in. By systematically rebalancing its portfolio, the fund locks in gains after strong market rallies while accumulating assets during market weakness, a strategy aimed at enhancing

Jun 30, 2026By Jun Ji-hye
Market braces for pension fund's stock rebalancing
Policy

Korea secures 2.07 mil. ton dedicated EU steel quota under new TRQ

Korea has secured a dedicated 2.073 million metric ton duty-free steel quota under the European Union's new tariff-rate quota (TRQ), cushioning the impact of the bloc's tighter import restrictions that take effect Wednesday. On Tuesday (local time), the EU announced the operational framework of its new steel import measures, which will replace existing safeguard measures, along with country-specific quota allocations. Under the new measures, the EU has raised tariffs on out-of-quota imports to 50 percent from 25 percent across 30 steel product categories, while cutting total duty-free import volumes to 18.35 million tons from the previous 33.82 million tons annually, which is about a 46 percent reduction. The new structure differentiates quotas by product and trade status, creating separate allocations for WTO country quotas, FTA country quotas and FTA-only shared quotas, effectively providing additional duty-free access to countries with EU free trade agreements, including Korea. The trade ministry announced that Korea’s total dedicated quota was cut 19.7 percent from 2.581 million to

Jun 30, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
Korea secures 2.07 mil. ton dedicated EU steel quota under new TRQ
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