Korean Won Falls to 1450 Against US Dollar Amid Market Optimism
The won-dollar exchange rate has dropped to the 1450 range.On July 29, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the exchange rate stood at 1456.3 won per US dollar as of 9:29 AM.This decline appears to be linked to the ongoing cessation of U.S. airstrikes against Iran and growing optimism for renewed dialogue. However, uncertainty remains following Iran's surprise attack on U.S. military bases in the Middle East on July 28.International oil prices continued to plummet. September futures for Brent c
August Personal Investment Bonds Worth 150 Billion Won to Be Issued with 20-Year Pre-Tax Yield of 161.8%
The Ministry of Finance announced on July 29 that it will issue personal investment bonds worth 150 billion won next month.The issuance limits for each bond type are as follows: 30 billion won for 3-year coupon bonds, 70 billion won for 3-year compound interest bonds, 700 billion won for 5-year bonds, 500 billion won for 10-year bonds, and 200 billion won for 20-year bonds.The coupon rates will be based on the successful bidding rates of government bonds issued in July. The rates are 3.765% for
Bank of Korea: Strong Fundamentals Expected to Limit Stock Market Downward Pressure
The Bank of Korea stated on July 29 that it expects strong fundamental conditions to limit downward pressure on stock prices amid recent market fluctuations.In a report submitted to the National Assembly's Economic Committee, the Bank noted that while foreign investors continue to engage in net selling as part of portfolio rebalancing, the large projected operating profits of semiconductor companies could help mitigate this downward pressure.The Bank observed that since May, significant net sell
Gwangyang Port to Become a Testbed for Port Automation with $617 Million Investment by 2029
The South Korean government will invest 772.4 billion won (approximately $617 million) by 2029 to transform Gwangyang Port into a testbed for port automation, accelerating innovations in physical artificial intelligence (AI). The goal is to achieve full automation of port operations, from loading equipment to operational systems.The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on July 29 that a groundbreaking ceremony for the 'Port Automation Testbed' will take place on July 30 at Gwangyang Port.
South Korea's Digital Services Rank Lowest Among Top 10 Exporting Countries
우리나라 디지털서비스 수출이 빠르게 늘고 있지만 주요 수출국과 비교한 국제경쟁력은 최하위 수준이라는 분석이 나왔다. 특히 국내에 진출한 넷플릭스·구글 등 외국계 기업을 통한 서비스 수입이 우리 기업의 해외 현지법인을 통한 수출보다 크게 많은 것으로 나타났다. 산업연구원은 29일 발표한 'TISMOS 자료를 활용한 서비스 수출경쟁력 분석: 디지털서비스 분야를 중심으로' 보고서에서 이같이 밝혔다. 보고서는 해외 현지법인을 통한 서비스무역인 'Mode 3(상업적 주재)'를 포함한 세계무역기구(WTO)의 TISMOS 통계와 유엔 컴트
KyoWon Life Sees 137% Increase in Transition Service Usage in First Half of 2026
KyoWon Life reported a 137% increase in the usage of its transition services in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.According to KyoWon Life on July 29, the first half results already exceeded the company's annual performance for 2024 by 26% and achieved 75% of last year's total. If the current trend continues, the annual performance for this year is expected to surpass last year's record.The increase in performance is attributed to the expansion of travel transition ser
Bank of Korea Governor: Need to Maintain Rate Hike Stance, Future Increases to Depend on Inflation and Economy
Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song stated on July 29 that it is necessary to continue the current trend of interest rate hikes. He reiterated his intention to maintain a tightening stance after raising the benchmark rate by 0.50 percentage points earlier this month.During a report to the National Assembly's Finance and Economy Committee, Governor Shin said, "The timing and pace of any further increases will be determined by assessing inflationary pressures, the trajectory of economic improvem
Hanssem Revamps Living Space for Single-Parent Families in Busan
Hanssem has expanded its social contribution activities by renovating the living spaces of single-parent families in Busan.On July 25, Hanssem announced that it improved the facilities at 'Hanna Village,' a living facility for single-parent families located in Saha District, Busan, and held a ceremony attended by employees and resident families.The newly created counseling room is designed to provide psychological and emotional counseling, case management, and family counseling in a more stable
May Births Increase by Over 23,000; Marriages Decline After Three Months
In May, the number of births increased by more than 23,000 compared to the previous year, marking 23 consecutive months of growth. However, the number of marriages, a leading indicator of birth rates, has declined for the first time in three months, and the overall population continues to decrease compared to last year.According to the National Data Agency's 'Population Trends for May 2026,' the number of births in May reached 23,160, an increase of 2,781 (13.6%) from the same period last year.
Regional Economy Improves Amid Semiconductor Boom, Bank of Korea Predicts Steady Growth
The regional economy showed improvement in the first half of 2026, driven by strong performance in the semiconductor and service sectors, compared to the second half of last year. The Bank of Korea forecasts that the recovery in key manufacturing sectors, including semiconductors and automobiles, will continue into the second half, leading to slight improvements or stable conditions across most regions.According to the Bank of Korea's 'Regional Economic Report' released on July 29, 2026, the reg