Debt, or credit, for both households and businesses surged to a historic peak, surpassing twice the gross domestic product (GDP) during the third quarter of this year. With an increasing number of businesses relying on non-banking institutions after the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with a rising house
Last month witnessed a turnaround in domestic production and consumption with an increase, while investments declined for the second consecutive month.According to the “Industrial Activity Trends for November 2023” report released by Statistics Korea on Dec. 28, overall industrial production, exclud
The author is an analyst for NH Investment & Securities. He can be reached at bk@nhqv.com -- Ed.In 2023, an inflection point for the stock market was reached reflecting the differing stances taken by the Fed and market participants. Recently, the Fed has begun looking ahead toward lowering interest
The number of babies born in October this year has dropped by over 8% compared to the previous year, setting a new record low. With this trend, there are concerns that the total fertility rate for the current fourth quarter from October to December may fall to the 0.6 range.According to population t
Recent data indicates that the number of mid-sized companies playing a crucial role as the “backbone” of the domestic economy increased by nearly 100 last year. Both the total revenue and operating profit of mid-sized companies saw an increase of around 10% compared to the previous year, and investm
A recent study has revealed that the debt of small business owners has increased more than their revenue on average.The Small and Medium Business Administration conducted a regular survey in 2022 targeting 65,000 small business enterprises. According to the results, the average annual revenue per bu
In South Korea, the prolonged phenomenon of an “ultra-low birth rate” is threatening the sustainability of its population and the very foundation of national existence.A recent column in The New York Times, titled “Is South Korea Disappearing?,” has raised alarms about the speed of population declin
The South Korean automotive industry has experienced a year of contrasts in 2023. In the first 11 months, the sector achieved its highest ever performance, but the fortunes of individual companies have varied significantly. Hyundai, Kia, and GM Korea continued to grow, leveraging their leading model
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) announced on Dec. 26 that it will launch the KASS, which provides precise positioning signals by correcting positioning errors on Dec. 28. The service can decrease the scope of errors (15 to 33 meters) that occur when using GPS signals to 1
The rivalry in the advanced 2-nanometer (nm) semiconductor process among leading chipmakers from South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States is expected to intensify next year.According to industry reports on Dec. 25, global foundry leaders – Taiwan’s TSMC (first in the industry), South Korea’s Samsu
The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is reportedly seeking a combined fine of 20 billion won (US$15.36 million) for BNP Paribas and HSBC, both of which have engaged in naked short selling. The FSS aims to impose an individual fine of 10 billion won on each of the financial institutions.Bloomberg
In the premium TV product line, Samsung Electronics’ market share in the Mini Light Emitting Diode (LED) TV market has significantly dropped this year. While Samsung, which had an overwhelming market share, experienced a decrease in shipments, Chinese companies like Hisense and TCL increased their s
Following the spread of COVID-19, North Korea’s real gross domestic product (GDP) has experienced three consecutive years of negative growth, leading to a widening income gap of up to 30 times per capita between North and South Korea. Last year, North Korea’s population was approximately half the si
The number of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involving major corporations in the country this year has more than halved compared to last year.On Dec. 20, CEO Score, a corporate data research institute, revealed that the number of M&As this year has reached 60. This information is based on quarterly
Foreign currency deposits held by residents of South Korea have increased for the second consecutive month. The prolonged trend of a historically low value yen has led to a growing number of investors seeking to purchase yen at a favorable rate. Additionally, the increase in export earnings deposite
The number of foreign residents in South Korea exceeded 1.4 million for the first time as the number of foreigners with E-9 visas working in non-professional jobs and international students increased due to the COVID-19 endemic. If including naturalized immigrants who have acquired South Korean citi
Samsung Heavy Industries disclosed on Dec. 18 the arbitration tribunal’s decision regarding the damage compensation for defects in the cargo holds of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers they built.On Dec. 15 (local time), the London arbitration tribunal ruled that Samsung Heavy Industries must
Recent data reveals that less than 1 percent of the South Korean population, specifically the top wealth holders, possess nearly 60 percent of the total financial assets of all households. Their combined financial assets amount to 2,747 trillion won (US$2.11 trillion), with real estate assets reachi
On Dec. 18, Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC) announced the selection of the Pan Ocean-JKL consortium as the preferred bidder for the acquisition of the management rights of HMM, the largest ocean container shipping company in South Korea. After negotiation
More than half of the 82 major conglomerates surveyed have holding companies, with 38 groups transitioning to a “holding company system.” The average ownership stake in holding companies held by conglomerate owners and their families has slightly decreased compared to the previous year.According to