The Korea Development Institute (KDI) recently evaluated the state of the South Korean economy, noting a recovery in exports but a slowdown in domestic consumption. This marks the third consecutive month that the KDI has assessed a “slowdown in domestic consumption.”On Feb. 7, the KDI assessed the e
Korea’s current account surplus reached US$35.5 billion in 2023. This was mainly because the volume of goods exports reaching a yearly high at the end of 2023.The current account surplus stood at US$7.41 billion in December, according to a December 2023 provisional balance of payments data released
A contract worth US$3.2 billion has been finalized to export the KM-SAM2 (Cheongung) ballistic missile system, also known as the Korean Patriot Missile, to Saudi Arabia.The Korean Ministry of National Defense announced on Feb. 6 (local time) a contract for the export of 10 M-SAM2 batteries signed be
KG Mobility, once a perennially loss-making company, has returned to profitability last year, driven by increased exports to Europe and Latin America.According to industry and securities market sources on Feb. 6, KG Mobility’s operating income for last year is estimated to be around 5 billion won. T
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has raised its global economic growth forecast for this year, but lowered its economic growth forecast for South Korea. While the organization said that global trade markets such as markets of semiconductors and information technology
Domestic defense companies such as LIG Nex1, Hyundai Rotem, and Hanwha Aerospace are mobilizing to participate in the Saudi International Defense Exhibition held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, until Feb. 8, aiming to penetrate the Middle Eastern market.According to the defense industry on F
It has been belatedly confirmed that an Indonesian researcher working on secondment at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is being investigated for alleged leakage of data related to the South Korean supersonic fighter jet, the KF-21 “Boramae.” It has been reported that a total of 49 files were discov
Expectations of an increase in the corporate value of domestic listed companies are attracting foreign capital to the South Korean stock market. Particularly, there is a concentrated buying interest in automotive stocks, including Hyundai Motor, and growth stocks in industries such as artificial int
The South Korean battery industry, on the brink of achieving an annual export milestone of US$10 billion, has seen a slowdown in its growth momentum. This deceleration is attributed to a reduction in battery demand due to a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand, along with the relocation of produ
Hanwha Group is showcasing its cutting-edge aviation technology, including fighter jet engines, to countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia.Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean, the defense affiliates of Hanwha Group, announced their participation in the World Defence Show
SK E&S is set to bolster its collaboration with Australia in the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) resources and the application of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology for the production of blue hydrogen.On Feb. 2, a meeting was held at the SK Seorin Building in the Jongno district
The defense affiliates of Hanwha Group, including Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean, will be participating in the World Defense Show 2024 (WDS 2024), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 4th to 8th Feb. With geopolitical crises increasing security demands in key Middle East regions, Ha
South Korea’s exports posted double-digit growth in January, led by a recovery in semiconductor exports.Korea’s exports totaled US$54.69 billion in January, while Korea’s imports totaled US$54.39 billion, according to the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).Exports increased 18 per
Hironic, a specialist in beauty medical devices, announced the signing of a four-party memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Jan. 31 at the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul with the City of Taylor, Texas in the U.S.; Mastern America LLC; and The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Taylor, Texas.This MOU
The U.S. semiconductor equipment industry has voiced the opinion that companies from allied countries, including South Korea and Japan, should also be subject to the same level of comprehensive regulations that they face in the process of exporting to China. There is speculation within South Korea t
The ruling People Power Party has decided to prioritize the passage of an amendment to the Korea Export-Import Bank Act in a February extraordinary session of the Korean National Assembly in order to secure a second contract worth 30 trillion won for arms exports to Poland.According to sources in th
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) has set a target of US$700 billion for South Korea’s exports next year, with a plan to attract US$35 billion in foreign direct investment in Korea and US$150 trillion in private investment.MOTIE Minister Ahn Duk-geun said in a briefing at the Sejong
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at bk@nhqv.com -- Ed.The two terms that defined last year’s stock market were ‘new cold war’ and ‘supply chain reshaping’. In 2024, decoupling between DMs and EMs is to become a new market-defining feature. Today, the US’s bu
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of South Korea announced on Jan. 29 that it will start accepting applications from Jan. 30 for this year’s K-City Network Global Collaboration Project. This initiative aims to establish a smart city cooperation network with foreign nations and suppo
Positive tangible results are being made by the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the CF Alliance pursuing a strategy to expand carbon-free power sources in the industrial sector.Major countries such as the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates