Loans from high-interest second-tier lenders soar amid tight lending rules

Loans from savings banks, credit unions and other secondary financial institutions rose sharply last month as authorities tightened credit regulations for major banks, officials said Sunday. Loans from savings banks, credit card firms, insurance companies and other second-tier lenders surged over 1.5 trillion won ($1.02 billion) in October, the largest gain since July 2021, according to the officials from the financial sector. In detail, cash advances and other loans from credit card firms and c

Nov. 10, 2024

BOK warns of growing uncertainties over global inflation, monetary policy

The South Korean central bank said Friday uncertainties have grown over global growth, inflation, and monetary policy paths of major economies following Donald Trump's presidential election victory, vowing enhanced market monitoring and timely responses. Bank of Korea Deputy Gov. Ryoo Sang-dai made the comment during a meeting meant to check the market situation after the Federal Reserve on Thursday decided to cut the benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage point, the second consecutive

Nov. 8, 2024

US Fed cuts key lending rate by quarter-percentage point

The US Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point on Thursday, marking the second consecutive reduction following a jumbo 50-basis-point cut in September. After the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the central bank announced the decision to reduce the rate to the 4.50 to 4.75 percent range. It came after Republican flag-bearer Donald Trump won in Tuesday's presidential election over Vice President Kamala Harris. In a press release, the Fe

Nov. 8, 2024

Korea on alert over reshaped global economy during Trump's 2nd term

The export-reliant Korean economy is bracing for Donald Trump’s return to the White House, with the energy and high-tech sectors here expected to bear the brunt of the US policy shift centered on his trade protectionism and the rollback of Joe Biden's green energy push. Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said on Thursday he expected considerable changes in external economic conditions in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harri

Nov. 7, 2024

S. Korea logs current account surplus for 5th month in September

South Korea racked up a current account surplus for the fifth consecutive month in September, driven by robust exports, central bank data showed Thursday. The country's current account surplus reached $11.12 billion in September, marking a surplus for the fifth consecutive month following a $6.5 billion surplus in August, according to data compiled by the Bank of Korea. The country's goods account racked up a $10.67 billion surplus in September following a $6.52 billion surplus the mon

Nov. 7, 2024

South Korean won tumbles after Trump wins US presidential election

The South Korean currency fell sharply against the US dollar during intra-day trading Wednesday after Donald Trump won the US presidential election. The South Korean won was trading at 1,400.5 won to the dollar as of 8:20 p.m., marking the first time to surpass the 1,400 won threshold since April 16. The won opened at 1,374 won at 9 a.m., up 4.6 won from the previous session. But the won-dollar rate reversed course in the morning, with the US dollar strengthening on news that Trump held an advan

Nov. 6, 2024

BOK to test feasibility of tokenized bank money-based voucher

South Korea's central bank said Wednesday it will test the feasibility of a digital voucher based on a tokenized deposit as part of its trial to introduce a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC). Along with the Financial Services Commission, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Bank of Korea will test the feasibility of a tokenized deposit-based voucher program for use on smartphones via a digital voucher management platform, which can be available for culture, education and ot

Nov. 6, 2024

[Herald Interview] FTA to bring Korea-Gulf ties to new level: Bahraini industry minister

MANAMA, Bahrain -- South Korea’s cooperation with the Gulf region, including Bahrain, is set to strengthen as the free trade agreement involving the two countries will take effect soon, according to a top Bahraini governmental official. "Last year, we had a trip with a big delegation to Korea. We met with many of the leading companies there,” Bahrain’s Minister of Industry & Commerce Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro told The Korea Herald during an interview held in Manama, Bahr

Nov. 5, 2024

Bahrain ready for bigger Korean presence

MANAMA, Bahrain – Strengthening its partnership with Bahrain would open a door of opportunities in the Middle East for South Korea, an investment forum held by the Gulf island nation's economic board suggested. Bahrain hosted the second edition of Gateway Gulf on Sunday and Monday. This year’s Gateway Gulf was held six years after the inaugural edition in 2018. Arranged by the Bahrain Economic Development Board, it was held under the theme of “Investing in a Rapidly Transf

Nov. 5, 2024

Consumer inflation slows to lowest level in nearly 4 years in Oct.

South Korea's consumer prices slowed to the lowest level in 45 months in October on stabilizing oil prices, staying below 2 percent for the second consecutive month, data showed Tuesday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 1.3 percent on-year last month, compared with a 1.6 percent on-year increase in September, according to the data from Statistics Korea. October's figure marked the lowest level since January 2021, when consumer prices grew 0.9 percent. Consumer inflation

Nov. 5, 2024

After opposition U-turn, Korea to repeal plan for financial capital gains tax

Korea’s main opposition party reversed its plan to introduce capital gains taxes on financial investment income on Monday, putting an end to a four-year stalemate with the ruling party as the underperforming domestic stock market struggles to make a breakthrough. “We decided to agree to the abolishment of the capital gains tax, which the government and the ruling party have been pushing for,” said Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, during

Nov. 4, 2024

Sharp rise seen in household credit, driven by savings banks, credit unions

South Korea's household credit increased at a faster rate in October due to rising loans from savings banks and credit unions despite the government's efforts to curb household debts, financial data showed Sunday. Outstanding household credit extended by all financial institutions, including commercial banks, savings banks, and insurance and securities firms, rose by 6 trillion won ($4.35 billion) from a month earlier in October, accelerating from a 5.2 trillion-won increase in Septemb

Nov. 3, 2024

Hankook & Co. formalizes deal for Hanon System, joins Korea's top 30 biz groups

Hankook & Co., the holding firm of Korea's largest tire maker Hankook Tire & Technology, announced Friday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a stake in Seoul-based automotive parts supplier Hanon Systems. Under the agreement, Hankook & Company will purchase a 23 percent stake in Hanon Systems from private equity firm Hahn & Co. for approximately 1.23 trillion won, finalizing the deal about six months after the two companies signed a memorandum of understand

Nov. 1, 2024

Exports rise 4.7% in Oct. to extend gains to 13th straight month

South Korea's exports extended on-year gains to the 13th straight month in October, data showed Friday, on the back of the robust performance of semiconductors. Outbound shipments rose 4.6 percent on-year to $57.5 billion last month, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Imports added 1.7 percent on-year to $54.3 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $1.62 billion. South Korea has been maintaining a trade surplus for 17 consecutive months. Exports

Nov. 1, 2024

Industrial output falls 0.3% on weak chip production in Sept.: data

South Korea's industrial output fell from a month earlier in September on dwindling production in the semiconductor and other manufacturing sectors, data showed Thursday. Retail sales, a gauge of private spending, also went down amid signs of weaker economic growth, while facility investment rebounded on-month, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea. Industrial production fell 0.3 percent on-month, following a 1.2 percent increase in August. In on-year terms, industrial output w

Oct. 31, 2024

Korea downplays impact of US investment ban on Chinese tech

Korean authorities expect the United States’ decision to ban outbound investments in artificial intelligence and other technology sectors in China to have a limited impact on South Korea's economy. On Monday, the Biden administration said it finalized rules that will bar US funds from flowing into Chinese technology such as quantum information technologies, AI systems and advanced microelectronics due to national security concerns. The new rules, directed by an executive order signed

Oct. 29, 2024

Asia-Pacific tax chiefs gather in Seoul to bolster cooperation

The Asia-Pacific region’s largest annual tax administration meeting launched Tuesday in Seoul, bringing together top tax officials from 18 countries to advance tax administration and bolster international cooperation. The 53rd annual meeting of the Study Group on Asia-Pacific Tax Administration and Research opened at Shilla Hotel in central Seoul, hosted by South Korea's National Tax Agency. This is the fourth time Korea has hosted this gathering, and the first since 2013. Around 180

Oct. 29, 2024

Finance minister vows swift response to 'unwarranted' volatility amid global uncertainties

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok vowed Monday to enhance market monitoring and to swiftly respond to excessive volatility under contingency plans amid weaker growth data and global uncertainties, his office said. Choi made the remarks during an economy-related ministers' meeting in Seoul after the gross domestic product expanded 0.1 percent on-quarter in the July-September period, lower than market expectations. "The government will pay extra attention to signs of economic uncertainties

Oct. 28, 2024

S. Korea to utilize up to W16t of state funds amid massive tax revenue shortfall

The finance ministry said Monday that the government will utilize foreign exchange equalization funds and other resources available while slashing local subsidies to deal with the expected massive tax revenue shortfall this year. The government is projected to collect 337.7 trillion won ($253.41 billion) in taxes in 2024, an 8.1 percent, or 29.6 trillion won, fall from its forecast made in the 2024 budget planning due mainly to weak corporate activities amid an economic slowdown last year, accor

Oct. 28, 2024

KB posts record Q3 earnings, vows higher shareholder returns

KB Financial Group reported record third-quarter profits driven by increased interest revenues from expanded loans while announcing a plan to enhance shareholder returns linked to its financial stability. The group posted a net profit of 1.61 trillion won ($1.17 billion), a 17.5 percent on-year increase, marking its best performance for the third quarter to date. Cumulatively, the year-to-date net profit reached 4.4 trillion won, up 0.4 percent from the previous year. However, compared to the

Oct. 24, 2024