KOREAN EXPORTS HIT RECORD HIGH FOR JUNE

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of Press Perspective.

It's July SECOND here in Seoul and I'm Min Sunhee.

Today we touch upon the latest events on the economic front here in South Korea.

For this I have Lee Ji-hoon with international news agency Reuters.

Ji-hoon it's good to have you here.

I also have Ruy Valdes with Spanish news agency EFE Spain.

Ruy welcome back.

Ji-hoon, let's start with the rally in the South Korean stock market in recent days and the reasons behind it.

Ruy, staying with the momentum from the stock market.

South Korea's consumer confidence soared in June.

Again, what are the figures and the factors fueling them?

And now, Ji-hoon, on the trade front, exports rebounded in the month of June.

Do tell us more about this finding and the factors behind them.

Ruy, the Trump administration's pause on reciprocal tariffs ends next week.

First, how many bilateral deals has the U.S. been able to seal thus far?

And second, what's the latest with regard to South Korea's tariff talks with the U.S.?

Meanwhile, Ruy, on the domestic front, the Lee administration has highlighted the need for a second supplementary budget this year to bolster the economy and protect livelihoods.

Do tell us a bit more about this budget.

Ji-hoon, you recently covered the concerns raised by a BOK board member about financial stability.

Could you tell us more?

Ruy, what can you tell us about President Lee's pick for Finance and Economy Minister?

All right.