Teetering S. Korean economy hit by spreading labor dispute

[THE INVESTOR] Labor disputes are spreading across South Korean industries with Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Heavy’s unions striking on July 19, while other major unions are taking steps to follow suit. The unions of Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Heavy Industries on July 19 staged a partial strike, collaborating in industrial dispute for the first time in 23 years. Hyundai Motor’s union is demanding a 7.2 percent raise and 30 percent of 2015 net profits as bonus of employees, among other conditions. Hy

July 19, 2016

BOK chief stresses accommodative monetary policy

[THE INVESTOR] The head of South Korea’s central bank has emphasized the need for an accommodative monetary policy to cope with a drawn-out economic slump but cautioned against its potential adverse impact causing financial instability.“It’s necessary to implement monetary policy in a direction that supports the recovery of a growth trend and also to pay keen heed to risks to financial stability,” Bank of Korea Gov. Lee Ju-yeol said in an international forum on July 19. BOK Gov. Lee Ju-yeolHe ci

July 19, 2016