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STOCK&FX

2025/07/21 22:43

2025. 7. 21. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,210.81 ▲22.74 +0.71% KOSDAQ : 821.69 ▲1.02 +0.12% KOSPI200 : 434.56 ▲3.46 +0.80% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : CLOSED HANG SENG : 24,994.14 ▲168.48 +0.68% SHANGHAI : 3,559.79 ▲25.30 +0.72% WALL STREET (July 18) DOW JONES : 44,342.19 ▼142.30 -0.32% NASDAQ : 20,895.66 ▲10.00 +0.05% S&P500 : 6,296.79 ▼0.57 -0.01% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,388.20 (-4.80) JPY : 937.94 (+1.56) CNY : 193.36 (-0.55) EUR : 1,615.31 (-2.66)

Livelihood recovery coupons see high level interest on day one

2025/07/21 22:37

Again, the purpose of the rollout of these cash handouts is to stimulate domestic consumption and provide citizens and small business owners a sense of relief from persistent inflation. Our Moon Ji-young went out to hear people's reactions on the first day of distribution. Immense public interest was evident on the first day of applications for the livelihood recovery consumption coupons. Older members of society were seen lining up in front of community centers to apply, while the widespread enthusiasm also led to some credit card website servers crashing. "I am here at a local market in southern Seoul. The coupons can be used at small businesses like these." Many have said that they'll be using the coupons to pay for daily necessities. "Once I get this cash handout, I can definitely cut down on what I spend on food. So, I think it'll really lighten the load, at least for a bit." "You see, I've got three kids. And honestly, their academy fees cost more than I thought they would. Since it isn't exactly cheap, I really want to put this towards my kids' education expenses." On the small business front, owners are holding onto the hope that the consumption coupons will give the economy at least a temporary lift. "I think it'll be easier for people who might've eaten less meat because it's pricey now. We expect this to create a virtuous cycle for the entire livestock industry. And if our sales increase significantly, allowing us to pay more in taxes, I believe that would be beneficial for everyone." "I guess with these livelihood coupons, consumer spending will pick up for a little while. But it won't last long, so the market will probably only be active for a bit. And once these coupons are all used up, I'm worried the economy might drop again." Experts expect the coupons to boost consumption. However, they also point out that they are a stimulus measure rather than an economic growth strategy. "When looking at different income levels, for high-income earners and upper-middle-income earners, the issuance of these consumption coupons is more likely to result in an increase in excess savings rather than driving additional consumption. Conversely, for lower-middle-income earners and below, we believe these consumption coupons will clearly and directly translate into consumption." Meanwhile, the government pledged to meticulously work with local governments to ensure that not a single citizen misses out on receiving them. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea's livelihood recovery consumption coupon applications begin

2025/07/21 22:36

From today, people in South Korea started applying for their livelihood recovery consumption coupons that are designed to revitalize the local economy and people's livelihoods. Park Jun-han has the details. Registrations for the livelihood recovery consumption coupon, the first major economic stimulus under the Lee Jae Myung administration, started from 9 AM Monday. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that the applications will be open for approximately eight weeks, until 6 PM on September 12. The coupon program provides 150-thousand Korean won, roughly 1-hundred-8 U.S. dollars, per recipient, with higher amounts for certain groups. 300-thousand won will be given to low-income households and single-parent families, and 400-thousand won for recipients of the Basic Livelihood Subsidy. Residents from areas outside of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do Province will receive an additional 30-thousand won, while those living in one of the 84 designated rural areas at risk of depopulation will get an extra 50-thousand won. People will receive coupons the day after application and the coupons are valid until November 30. The ministry says no coupons will be issued after the September 12 deadline, and those who don't apply will not receive any benefits. People can apply online through their bank or credit card sites or through local payment apps such as Seoul Pay Plus. They can also apply offline at their local government neighborhood office. Online registrations are available through either mobile devices or computers. To prevent system overload and congestion, the first week from Monday through Friday will follow a day-of-the-week system based on the last digit of the applicant's birth year: 1 or 6 on Monday, 2 or 7 on Tuesday and so on. Weekend applications are only available online. Applicants can choose to receive coupons as credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, or a community-based gift certificate which can only be used at registered merchants in the applicant's municipality. Coupons can only be used at small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. They are not valid at places such as large supermarkets, department stores, duty-free shops, and online malls. Foreign residents who fall under certain categories can also receive the coupons. The eligible groups are permanent residents, marriage migrants, recognized refugees those who are listed on a resident registration document that includes at least one Korean citizen. To be eligible, they must be enrolled in the national health insurance system, either as a subscriber, dependent or recipient. The government says the livelihood coupon should stimulate consumption and boost the local economy. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Livelihood recovery coupons see high level interest on day one

2025/07/21 19:36

And in light of that optimistic outlook by the government our correspondent Moon Ji-young was out on the streets of Seoul to gauge the public response to efforts to encourage consumption. Do take a listen. Immense public interest was evident on the first day of applications for the livelihood recovery consumption coupons. Older members of society were seen lining up in front of community centers to apply, while the widespread enthusiasm also led to some credit card website servers crashing. "I am here at a local market in southern Seoul. The coupons can be used at small businesses like these." Many have said that they'll be using the coupons to pay for daily necessities. "Once I get this cash handout, I can definitely cut down on what I spend on food. So, I think it'll really lighten the load, at least for a bit." "You see, I've got three kids. And honestly, their academy fees cost more than I thought they would. Since it isn't exactly cheap, I really want to put this towards my kids' education expenses." On the small business front, owners are holding onto the hope that the consumption coupons will give the economy at least a temporary lift. "I think it'll be easier for people who might've eaten less meat because it's pricey now. We expect this to create a virtuous cycle for the entire livestock industry. And if our sales increase significantly, allowing us to pay more in taxes, I believe that would be beneficial for everyone." "I guess with these livelihood coupons, consumer spending will pick up for a little while. But it won't last long, so the market will probably only be active for a bit. And once these coupons are all used up, I'm worried the economy might drop again." Experts expect the coupons to boost consumption. However, they also point out that they are a stimulus measure rather than an economic growth strategy. "When looking at different income levels, for high-income earners and upper-middle-income earners, the issuance of these consumption coupons is more likely to result in an increase in excess savings rather than driving additional consumption. Conversely, for lower-middle-income earners and below, we believe these consumption coupons will clearly and directly translate into consumption." Meanwhile, the government pledged to meticulously work with local governments to ensure that not a single citizen misses out on receiving them. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

S. Korea's livelihood recovery consumption coupon applications begin

2025/07/21 19:34

Also on the local front. Applications for the so-called "consumption coupons" kicked off on this Monday. All Korean citizens are eligible for these coupons as are some non-Korean residents here in the country. Park Jun-han reports. Registrations for the livelihood recovery consumption coupon, the first major economic stimulus under the Lee Jae Myung administration, started from 9 AM Monday. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that the applications will be open for approximately eight weeks, until 6 PM on September 12. The coupon program provides 150-thousand Korean won, roughly 1-hundred-8 U.S. dollars, per recipient, with higher amounts for certain groups. 300-thousand won will be given to low-income households and single-parent families, and 400-thousand won for recipients of the Basic Livelihood Subsidy. Residents from areas outside of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do Province will receive an additional 30-thousand won, while those living in one of the 84 designated rural areas at risk of depopulation will get an extra 50-thousand won. People will receive coupons the day after application and the coupons are valid until November 30. The ministry says no coupons will be issued after the September 12 deadline, and those who don't apply will not receive any benefits. People can apply online through their bank or credit card sites or through local payment apps such as Seoul Pay Plus. They can also apply offline at their local government neighborhood office. Online registrations are available through either mobile devices or computers. To prevent system overload and congestion, the first week from Monday through Friday will follow a day-of-the-week system based on the last digit of the applicant's birth year: 1 or 6 on Monday, 2 or 7 on Tuesday and so on. Weekend applications are only available online. Applicants can choose to receive coupons as credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, or a community-based gift certificate which can only be used at registered merchants in the applicant's municipality. Coupons can only be used at small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. They are not valid at places such as large supermarkets, department stores, duty-free shops, and online malls. Foreign residents who fall under certain categories can also receive the coupons. The eligible groups are permanent residents, marriage migrants, recognized refugees those who are listed on a resident registration document that includes at least one Korean citizen. To be eligible, they must be enrolled in the national health insurance system, either as a subscriber, dependent or recipient. The government says the livelihood coupon should stimulate consumption and boost the local economy. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

S. Korea's livelihood recovery consumption coupon applications begin

2025/07/21 13:34

From today, people in South Korea started applying for their livelihood recovery consumption coupons. The coupons are being provided to all Korean citizens and some 350-thousand non-Korean residents. They can generally only be spent at small local businesses and are aimed at reviving consumer spending and boosting the sluggish domestic economy. For more about the application procedures and amount provided, Park Jun-han has the details. From 9 AM Monday, people can apply to receive the livelihood recovery consumption coupon, the first major economic stimulus under the Lee Jae Myung administration. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that the applications will be open for approximately eight weeks, from 9 AM today until 6 PM on September 12, through both online and offline channels. The coupon program provides 150-thousand Korean won, roughly 1-hundred-8 U.S. dollars, per recipient, with higher amounts for certain groups. 300-thousand won will be given to low-income households and single-parent families, and 400-thousand won for recipients of the Basic Livelihood Subsidy. Residents from areas outside of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do Province will receive an additional 30-thousand won, while those living in one of the 84 designated rural areas at risk of depopulation will get an extra 50-thousand won. People will receive coupons the day after application and the coupons are valid until November 30. The ministry says no coupons will be issued after the September 12 deadline, and those who don't apply will not receive any benefits. To prevent system overload and congestion, the first week from Monday through Friday will follow a day-of-the-week system based on the last digit of the applicant's birth year: 1 or 6 on Monday, 2 or 7 on Tuesday, 3 or 8 on Wednesday, 4 or 9 on Thursday, and 5 or 0 on Friday. Weekend applications are only available through online registration. Applicants can choose to receive coupons as credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, or a community-based gift certificate which can only be used at registered merchants in the applicant's municipality. Coupons can only be used at small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. They are not valid at large marts, corporate supermarkets, department stores, duty-free shops, online malls, delivery apps, entertainment, gambling, or cash-equivalent businesses. Foreign residents who fall under certain categories can also receive the coupons. The eligible groups are permanent residents, marriage migrants, recognized refugees those who are listed on a resident registration document that includes at least one Korean citizen, and those who were formerly on a Korean family registry document. To be eligible, they must be enrolled in the national health insurance system, either as a subscriber, dependent or recipient. The government says the livelihood coupon should stimulate consumption and boost the local economy. Another, smaller coupon will be distributed later this year. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

[Weekly Focus] K-beauty’s beautiful growth: Yet another record-breaking export

2025/07/19 12:35

South Korea's cosmetics have once again broken records in the first half of this year. They've also become a must-buy item for foreign tourists when visiting the country. For more on this, we have our business correspondent Park Jun-han, here in the studio to tell us about the K-beauty industry's remarkable growth and the reasons why people from all over the world like it. Welcome, Jun-han. Thanks for having me, Do-yeon. 1. Jun-han, Korean beauty products have been popular for quite some time. But how popular are they really? Right Do-yeon. Just two days ago, I went to Myeongdong, one of the most popular areas for foreign visitors. There, I could spot people from all over the world shopping for Korean beauty products. They told me that K-beauty products are well-known in their countries, and they're happy to buy them at a lower price than they would at home. Let's take a listen to what tourists had to say about their K-beauty shopping experience in Korea. "I heard about it through social media in France. We have a lot of channels in France that talk about it, so every French person wants to try it because it works — so yeah. It's my first time; I've never tried it, so I'll try and see." "We found out through TV. I think it's well known that Korean beauty products are very good. Also, friends and family asked us, 'Are you going to Korea? Can you bring me this or that?' because they know Korean products are very famous for that." 2. I see, Jun-han. Now we know that Korean beauty products are famous all over the world, what makes them stand out compared to products from other countries? What makes them so special? You actually made a great point there, Do-yeon. When asked about what makes Korean cosmetics so special, one of the industry experts told me that for their price, they are technologically advanced, and that Korean beauty firms are creative when developing new products. Let's take a listen. "Cosmetics companies in South Korea are so technologically advanced and cost-effective that last year we became the third-largest exporter in the world. They're incredibly creative and great at coming up with new products, which is why they're receiving this kind of attention around the world." Another claim made by the same industry expert is that cultural exposure and influence — such as through K-pop and K-drama figures — are attracting potential consumers to buy K-beauty products. "As K-dramas and K-pop have become more popular, people around the world are seeing more of Korean people's skin. I think that has contributed to a perception that Koreans have great skin because they use Korean cosmetics. Most of the products are now vegan, and there are also many functional patents behind them." 3. No wonder that K-beauty exports hit a new record in the first half of this year. Jun-han, can you walk us through the latest figures? Sure Do-yeon. The growth of South Korea's beauty product exports is surging at a dramatic pace, backed by record figures. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, South Korea exported cosmetics to 176 countries in the first half of 2025, reaching a total of 5.51 billion U.S. dollars — a 14.8 percent increase from the same period last year. By country, China, the United States and Japan were the top three importers, accounting for 48.1 percent of total exports. Although China saw an over 10 percent year-on-year decrease in export value, it still ranked as the number one importer. The United States and Japan, however, saw remarkable increases of over 17 percent and 15 percent, respectively. From 2012 to 2024, South Korea's cosmetics exports surged by over 850%, showing a strong annual growth trend. And if the current pace continues, 2025 could mark yet another historic high, hopefully surpassing the 11 billion dollar mark. 4. K-beauty is doing remarkably well, but I'm sure there's still room for improvement and even concerns within the industry about future challenges. Tell us. That's right, Do-yeon. Although Korea's cosmetics industry is performing very well, there are some concerns that remain, such as regulatory challenges and a possible increase in prices due to the 25% U.S. "reciprocal" tariffs. Now, let's take a listen to what a professor of the beauty industry had to say. "The government's R&D expenditure is too small compared to the increasing sales and exports of the cosmetics industry. All industries in Korea face difficulties without government support, and I think the industry can grow much more if it is supported. Also, another industry expert raised concerns about factors that might increase product prices. "Concerns over tariffs essentially come down to pricing. Since each individual ingredient must undergo safety testing, the overall cost naturally increases. As a result, cosmetic prices inevitably rise. Rather than simply easing regulations, I believe we need to explore ways to simplify the safety assessment process while still ensuring product safety." With rising demand from all over the world, K-beauty is now not just a trend — it's a new culture. Alright, Jun-han, Thanks for sharing your thoughtful insights today. Thank you, Do-yeon, I hope to see you again soon.

STOCK&FX

2025/07/18 22:46

2025. 7. 18. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,188.07 ▼4.22 -0.13% KOSDAQ : 820.67 ▲2.40 +0.29% KOSPI200 : 431.10 ▼0.54 -0.13% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 39,819.11 ▼82.08 -0.21% HANG SENG : 24,825.66 ▲326.71 +1.33% SHANGHAI : 3,534.48 ▲17.65 +0.50% WALL STREET (July 17) DOW JONES : 44,484.49 ▲229.71 +0.52% NASDAQ : 20,885.65 ▲155.15 +0.75% S&P500 : 6,297.36 ▲33.66 +0.54% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,393.00 (+0.40) JPY : 936.38 (-0.01) CNY : 193.91 (+0.10) EUR : 1,617.97 (+4.64)

S. Korean economy faces "downward pressure," yet shows "positive signs"

2025/07/18 22:37

Concerns over downward pressure on the South Korean economy continue to linger. But the country's financial authorities note there are positive signs, such as improving consumer sentiment. Our correspondent Moon Ji-young explains. South Korea's economy continues to face downward pressure due to a delayed recovery in domestic demand and ongoing trade risks, but some "positive signs" such as improving consumer sentiment are emerging. That's according to the latest economic green book a monthly economic assessment report released by the Finance Ministry on Friday. This also marks the seventh consecutive month that the government stated that the economy faces "downside pressure." However, the ministry slightly toned down its assessment by omitting the term "increasing" in reference to downside risks. "Recent downward pressure on the Korean economy is largely due to the slow recovery of domestic demand, particularly in consumption and construction investment, coupled with persistent employment difficulties in vulnerable sectors and worsening external conditions stemming from U.S. tariff impositions. However, we're also starting to see some positive signs, like an improvement in consumer sentiment." He added that while downward factors previously dominated, both upward and downward factors are now coexisting. "It seems the recent significant rise in stock prices and expectations for supplementary budget projects are positively influencing consumer sentiment. There's potential for these factors to continue to positively affect consumption in the future." Despite these positive signals, trade risks in exports remain a significant concern as the August 1st deadline for tariff negotiations approaches. The ministry analyzed that exports in June rose by 4-point-3 percent compared to the same month last year, largely attributed to improved semiconductor market conditions and pull-forward demand before the end of the pause on U.S. reciprocal tariffs. To boost economic and livelihood recovery, the Ministry has pledged to swiftly execute a supplementary budget worth 31-point-8 trillion won or around 23 billion U.S. dollars. It also reaffirmed its efforts to ensure that the livelihood recovery consumption coupons, scheduled for distribution from July 21, become a catalyst for revitalizing domestic demand, including consumption and local economies. To address trade risks, the government said it is committed to providing comprehensive support for Korean companies affected by U.S. tariff impositions. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Tariff countdown: Business insider's take on the future of U.S.-Korea trade

2025/07/18 21:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. With the August 1st tariff deadline looming, tensions are escalating between the U.S. and South Korea. Earlier this month, President Trump announced a 25% "reciprocal" tariff targeting Korean imports — a move that has reignited trade concerns across Asia. While negotiations are underway, the pressure is mounting on both sides to deliver results within just two weeks. At the heart of this standoff are long-standing issues: non-tariff barriers, digital regulations, and strategic investments. To help us unpack what's at stake and where things may be headed, we're joined by Tami Overby — a seasoned expert on U.S.-Korea trade relations. She's the former head for Asia at U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the former President of AMCHAM Korea, and currently a partner at DGA Government Relations in Washington. A big welcome. Let's begin with the latest development. On July 8th, President Trump released a letter stating that the U.S. would impose a 25% reciprocal tariff on South Korea starting August 1st. Notably, the letter was addressed only to Korea and Japan. From your perspective as an American economist, how do you read this move? And what do you make of the decision to single out these two countries? In that context, last week, Korea's chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, visited Washington for high-stakes talks. How would you assess the Korean government's handling of the negotiations so far? President Trump has made it clear that if no deal is reached, the tariffs will take effect on August 1st. That said, this would be the third deadline, and some speculate another extension is still possible. In your view, how real is the risk that tariffs will actually be imposed this time? Looking at your past remarks, you've expressed optimism that a U.S.-Korea trade agreement is still achievable. What gives you that confidence at this stage? And from a strategic standpoint, what do you see as Korea's strongest card in negotiations right now? Now, to one of the core demands, the U.S. continues to push for the removal of non-tariff barriers, especially in agriculture. Issues like beef and rice imports remain politically sensitive in Korea. Given that, what kind of compromise could realistically satisfy both sides? Turning to digital trade concerns, Washington has also asked Seoul to ease restrictions on exporting high-resolution maps and to scale back regulations on U.S. tech platforms. These are closely tied to Korea's domestic regulatory sovereignty. How does the Trump administration likely view these issues, and is there room for a calibrated adjustment? On the investment front, Hyundai Motor Group's $21 billion investment pledge in the U.S. has been seen as a positive signal to the Trump administration. In your view, how much weight do such large-scale investments carry in influencing trade negotiations? With just two weeks to go before the deadline, what direction should the Korean government take to steer talks toward a resolution? You've stressed that Seoul must demonstrate "genuine intent" — but in concrete terms, what does that look like from Washington's point of view? And finally, beyond the immediate talks, what structural conditions do you believe are necessary to build a long-term, mutually beneficial U.S.-Korea economic partnership?

S. Korean economy faces "downward pressure," yet shows "positive signs"

2025/07/18 19:36

The economy remains vulnerable to persistent challenges including sluggish spending and construction activity BUT consumer sentiment appears to be improving. Our correspondent Moon Ji-young covers the economic assessment for July by the Finance Ministry. South Korea's economy continues to face downward pressure due to a delayed recovery in domestic demand and ongoing trade risks, but some "positive signs" such as improving consumer sentiment are emerging. That's according to the latest economic green book a monthly economic assessment report released by the Finance Ministry on Friday. This also marks the seventh consecutive month that the government stated that the economy faces "downside pressure." However, the ministry slightly toned down its assessment by omitting the term "increasing" in reference to downside risks. "Recent downward pressure on the Korean economy is largely due to the slow recovery of domestic demand, particularly in consumption and construction investment, coupled with persistent employment difficulties in vulnerable sectors and worsening external conditions stemming from U.S. tariff impositions. However, we're also starting to see some positive signs, like an improvement in consumer sentiment." He added that while downward factors previously dominated, both upward and downward factors are now coexisting. "It seems the recent significant rise in stock prices and expectations for supplementary budget projects are positively influencing consumer sentiment. There's potential for these factors to continue to positively affect consumption in the future." Despite these positive signals, trade risks in exports remain a significant concern as the August 1st deadline for tariff negotiations approaches. The ministry analyzed that exports in June rose by 4-point-3 percent compared to the same month last year, largely attributed to improved semiconductor market conditions and pull-forward demand before the end of the pause on U.S. reciprocal tariffs. To boost economic and livelihood recovery, the Ministry has pledged to swiftly execute a supplementary budget worth 31-point-8 trillion won or around 23 billion U.S. dollars. It also reaffirmed its efforts to ensure that the livelihood recovery consumption coupons, scheduled for distribution from July 21, become a catalyst for revitalizing domestic demand, including consumption and local economies. To address trade risks, the government said it is committed to providing comprehensive support for Korean companies affected by U.S. tariff impositions. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

STOCK&FX

2025/07/17 22:45

2025. 7. 17. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,192.29 ▲5.91 +0.19% KOSDAQ : 818.27 ▲6.04 +0.74% KOSPI200 : 431.64 ▲0.48 +0.11% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 39,901.19 ▲237.79 +0.60% HANG SENG : 24,498.95 ▼18.81 -0.08% SHANGHAI : 3,516.83 ▲13.04 +0.37% WALL STREET (July 16) DOW JONES : 44,254.78 ▲231.49 (+0.53%) NASDAQ : 20,730.49 ▲52.69 (+0.25%) S&P500 : 6,263.70 ▲19.94 (+0.32%) EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,392.60 (+6.90) JPY : 936.39 (+4.80) CNY : 193.81 (+0.86) EUR : 1,613.33 (+2.87)

S. Korea's auto exports set June high despite U.S. shipments decline, tariffs

2025/07/17 22:39

Last month, South Korea's automobile exports marked a record high for any June, buoyed by regional gains and an EV rebound amid U.S. tariffs. Our Moon Ji-young has more. South Korea's auto exports rose from a year earlier in June as a surge in shipments to Europe and Asia more than offset a decline in shipments to the U.S. caused by U.S. tariffs. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Thursday, the country's auto exports came to 6-point-34 billion U.S. dollars in June, up more than 2 percent year-on-year. This performance marks a record high for any June. By region, exports to the U.S. dropped for the fourth consecutive month, falling 16 percent. Conversely, European Union shipments surged more than 32 percent, and Asia also saw growth of more than 35 percent. These strong gains partly offset the decline in exports to the U.S. Notable growth was seen particularly in Germany and the Netherlands, where exports nearly doubled. The Ministry attributed the growth to a base effect from sluggish exports in the same month last year, along with strong electric vehicle exports, among other factors. Outbound shipments of EVs saw their first growth in 16 months, rising more than 11 percent year-on-year. Exports of eco-friendly cars amounted to 2-point-2 billion dollars, up over 18 percent from a year earlier. Regarding the outlook for the auto industry in the second half of this year, a ministry official said. "Measuring the outlook for the second half presents numerous uncertainties. Among potential downsides, should phenomena like a demand pull-forward effect in the US occur, the latter half of the year could face a slight downturn. Conversely, factors that could lead to an improvement include the resolution of global uncertainties stemming from tariff negotiations, or a further expansion of electric vehicle exports to Europe. These could, in fact, serve as positive influences." Meanwhile, domestic production remained flat at over 353-thousand vehicles. More than 72-thousand eco-friendly cars were sold in South Korea in June, up 36 percent from a year earlier. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

Samsung Electronics Chairman free of all legal troubles; what next?

2025/07/17 22:38

An almost decade long court battle against the executive chairman of Samsung Electronics has come to an end today, with the Supreme Court freeing Lee Jae-yong of all legal troubles. Our business correspondent Kim Do-yeon reports. After nearly a decade of legal battles, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong is now officially free of all charges. On Thursday, South Korea's Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling acquitting the Samsung Chairman of fraud and market manipulation. The case centered on a controversial 2015 merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries — a deal that helped Lee cement control over Samsung Electronics, despite not owning direct shares. The merger came as Lee was in the midst of inheriting leadership from his now-late father, Lee Kun-hee. Prosecutors argued the merger unfairly favored Cheil, where Lee was the largest shareholder. But the top court ruled there was insufficient evidence that the deal or the related accounting practices violated the law. Lee's legal woes began in 2016 with a bribery case linked to former impeached President Park Geun-hye. He served a total of 18 months in prison over the course of four years until 2021 and was barred from holding an official role at Samsung for five years following his release from prison. That ban was lifted early after a presidential pardon in 2022 by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, paving the way for his formal return to Samsung leadership. Despite rejoining the company, Lee remained entangled in the ongoing merger case, making frequent court appearances. His legal team celebrated an appeals court acquittal in February 2025 and famously left this comment. "I hope this decision leads to the defendant returning and concentrating on their work." Lee's freedom from legal issues comes as Samsung Electronics has recently faced mounting headwinds. Its operating profit for the second quarter was slashed in half year-on-year, dragged down by weakness in its key semiconductor business, which accounts for more than half of total profits. Pundits say the legal issues didn't help and kept the company as a whole from making risky and bold decisions. "But it's a little bit hard to get in the front line with the legal issues going on so I think that this gives a great signal both to the market and within Samsung that Samsung will excel their AI and, you know, semiconductor strategies." But now, at least, the man at the top is no longer looking over his shoulder — and that may mark a turning point for South Korea's biggest conglomerate. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

World News: Wall Street ends higher after brief slump on Powell firing claims

2025/07/17 19:41

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. Wall Street closed higher on Wednesday after an early drop triggered by reports that President Trump planned to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which Trump quickly called "highly unlikely." Markets tumbled mid-morning on Wednesday with the S&P and Nasdaq falling more than 1%, while the dollar plunged and Treasury yields spiked after Bloomberg cited an anonymous White House source suggesting Powell would lose his job. The confusion grew amid concerns about Trump's repeated criticism of Powell for not cutting interest rates faster. However, stocks recovered swiftly once Trump denied any plan to fire Powell. The Dow rose 0.53%, the S&P 500 gained 0.32%, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.26%. Tech shares lifted the Nasdaq to another record close. In the Middle East, at least 20 people have been killed in a fatal crush at an aid distribution site in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-and Israeli-endorsed NGO, reported on July 16 that the deaths occurred during food distribution in Khan Younis. GHF officials said that armed people believed to be linked to Hamas deliberately caused unrest by infiltrating the crowd to cause panic. The Hamas-run Gaza Government Media Office blamed the incident on the GHF, while witnesses said security personnel had used pepper spray on the crowd. Palestinian health authorities confirmed 21 deaths by suffocation, asserting many victims were crushed in an overcrowded enclosure. In Iceland, a volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in the southwest of the country, erupted in the early hours of Wednesday. This marks the 12th eruption in the region since 2021. Lava fountains burst along a fissure up to a kilometer long, sending thick gray smoke and orange lava into the sky. Authorities evacuated the nearby town of Grindavik, home to approximately 4,000 people, and cleared the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Roads around the eruption zone have been closed, but flights have not been affected. While Reykjanes has been particularly active since 2021, the officials described the recent eruption as "relatively small." Researchers in the UK published a study in The New England Journal of Medicine on July 16, reporting that eight healthy babies have been born using mitochondrial replacement therapy, which involves the use of genes from three people, and achieved a 36% success rate. Developed by Newcastle University and the Newcastle Fertility Center, the procedure transfers the nucleus from a mother's fertilized egg into a donor egg containing healthy mitochondria. The babies now carry nuclear DNA from both parents and mitochondrial DNA from a third donor. All children, aged from a few weeks to over two years, are developing normally with no signs of the inherited mitochondrial disease that they were at risk for. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

K-Beauty’s glow: Another year, another record-breaking milestone

2025/07/17 19:39

Beauty products are among the latest popular export items for South Korea and their overseas shipments during the first six months of this year hit a new high. Our correspondent Park Jun-han files this report. Once considered cost-efficient cosmetics for locals, K-Beauty products have now gone global and become one of the must-buy items when traveling to Korea. "Here in the heart of Myeongdong — one of the most popular areas for foreign visitors — you can spot people from all over the world shopping for Korean beauty products. What started as a domestic trend has now become a key export driver." "I heard about it through social media in France. We have a lot of channels in France that talk about it, so every French person wants to try it because it works — so yeah. It's my first time; I've never tried it, so I'll try and see." "We found out through TV. I think it's well known that Korean beauty products are very good. Also, friends and family asked us, 'Are you going to Korea? Can you bring me this or that?' because they know Korean products are very famous for that." The growth of South Korea's beauty product exports is surging at a dramatic pace, backed by record figures. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, South Korea exported cosmetics to 176 countries in the first half of 2025, reaching a total of 5.51 billion U.S. dollars — a 14.8 percent increase from the same period last year. By country, China, the United States and Japan were the top three importers, accounting for 48.1 percent of total exports. Although China saw an over 10 percent year-on-year decrease in export value, it still ranked as the number one importer. The United States and Japan, however, saw remarkable increases of over 17 percent and 15 percent, respectively. A beauty industry expert says that Korean cosmetics are technologically advanced for their price and are creative in product development. "Cosmetics companies in South Korea are so technologically advanced and cost-effective that last year we became the third-largest exporter in the world. They're incredibly creative and great at coming up with new products, which is why they're receiving this kind of attention around the world." Another claim made by the same industry expert is that cultural exposure and influence — such as through K-pop and K-Drama figures — are attracting potential consumers to buy K-Beauty products. "As K-Dramas and K-Pop have become more popular, people around the world are seeing more of Korean people's skin. I think that has contributed to a perception that Koreans have great skin because they use Korean cosmetics. Most of the products are now vegan, and there are also many functional patents behind them." With rising demand from all over the world, K-Beauty is now not just a trend — it's a new culture. And if the current pace continues, 2025 could mark yet another historic high, hopefully surpassing the 11 billion dollar mark. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

S. Korea's auto exports rise 2.3% in June despite U.S. tariffs

2025/07/17 19:37

South Korea's automobile exports posted a record high for the month of June last month driven by regional shipments and EV rebounds despite U.S. tariffs. According to the Trade Ministry on this Thursday auto exports totaled 6-point-3 billion U.S. dollars in June up more than 2 percent on year. By region shipments to the EU surged over 32 percent and those to Asia jumped over 35 percent. In sharp contrast auto exports to the U.S. plunged 16 percent dropping for the fourth month in a row. The ministry also pointed out EV exports marked their first growth in over a year soaring more than 11 percent in June on year.

Samsung Electronics Chairman free of all legal troubles; what next?

2025/07/17 19:37

In other news. An almost decade long court battle against the head of Samsung Electronics has come to an end. Our business correspondent Kim Do-yeon has details. After nearly a decade of legal battles, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong is now officially free of all charges. On Thursday, South Korea's Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling acquitting the Samsung Chairman of fraud and market manipulation. The case centered on a controversial 2015 merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries — a deal that helped Lee cement control over Samsung Electronics, despite not owning direct shares. The merger came as Lee was in the midst of inheriting leadership from his now-late father, Lee Kun-hee. Prosecutors argued the merger unfairly favored Cheil, where Lee was the largest shareholder. But the top court ruled there was insufficient evidence that the deal or the related accounting practices violated the law. Lee's legal woes began in 2016 with a bribery case linked to former impeached President Park Geun-hye. He served a total of 18 months in prison over the course of four years until 2021 and was barred from holding an official role at Samsung for five years following his release from prison. That ban was lifted early after a presidential pardon in 2022 by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, paving the way for his formal return to Samsung leadership. Despite rejoining the company, Lee remained entangled in the ongoing merger case, making frequent court appearances. His legal team celebrated an appeals court acquittal in February 2025 and famously left this comment. "I hope this decision leads to the defendant returning and concentrating on their work." Lee's freedom from legal issues comes as Samsung Electronics has recently faced mounting headwinds. Its operating profit for the second quarter was slashed in half year-on-year, dragged down by weakness in its key semiconductor business, which accounts for more than half of total profits. Pundits say the legal issues didn't help and kept the company as a whole from making risky and bold decisions. But now, at least, the man at the top is no longer looking over his shoulder — and that may mark a turning point for South Korea's biggest conglomerate. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Wall Street ends higher after brief slump on Powell firing claims

2025/07/17 13:38

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now. Wall Street closed higher on Wednesday after an early drop triggered by reports that President Trump planned to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which Trump quickly called "highly unlikely." Markets tumbled mid-morning on Wednesday with the S&P and Nasdaq falling more than 1%, while the dollar plunged and Treasury yields spiked after Bloomberg cited an anonymous White House source suggesting Powell would lose his job. The confusion grew amid concerns about Trump's repeated criticism of Powell for not cutting interest rates faster. However, stocks recovered swiftly once Trump denied any plan to fire Powell. The Dow rose 0.53%, the S&P 500 gained 0.32%, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.26%. Tech shares lifted the Nasdaq to another record close.

STOCK&FX

2025/07/16 22:44

2025. 7. 16. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,186.38 ▼28.90 -0.90% KOSDAQ : 812.23 ▼0.65 -0.08% KOSPI200 : 431.16 ▼3.62 -0.83% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 39,663.40 ▼14.62 -0.04% HANG SENG : 24,517.76 ▼72.36 -0.29% SHANGHAI : 3,503.78 ▼1.22 -0.03% WALL STREET (July 15) DOW JONES : 44,023.29 ▼436.36 (-0.98%) NASDAQ : 20,677.80 ▲37.47 (+0.18%) S&P500 : 6,243.76 ▼24.80 (-0.40%) EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,385.70 (+5.50) JPY : 931.59 (-2.97) CNY : 192.95 (+0.62) EUR : 1,610.46 (-1.96)