The price of bitcoin traded in Korea climbed to its highest ever Thursday, fueled by a global rally initiated from spot exchange-traded funds and an impending halving. Bitcoin, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency, traded in Korea at up to 90 million won ($67,490) on the country’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, at 3:47 p.m. On the previous day, it broke its previous high of 82.7 million won at around 6 p.m. for the first time since November 2021. After peaking at 90 million won, bitco

Inflation could rise over 3 percent in South Korea in February on high prices of global oil and fresh food items, the finance ministry said Thursday, vowing all-out efforts to curb inflation. In January, consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2.8 percent on-year, marking the first fall below the 3 percent level in six months. The country has experienced a gradual easing of inflationary pressure, but uncertainties have grown, centering on prices of farm produce and petroleum products, Fi

South Korean stocks started lower Thursday tracking overnight losses from Wall Street, as the US' fourth-quarter economic growth was slower than earlier estimated. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 20.49 points, or 0.77 percent, to 2,631.8 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed weaker, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.06 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing 0.55 percent. The US economy expanded 3.2 percent in

South Korean stocks ended higher Wednesday as investors closely awaited key data from the United States later this week. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 27.24 points, or 1.04 percent, to 2,652.29. Trade volume was moderate at 409.7 million shares worth 10 trillion won ($7.4 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 559 to 302. Individuals were net sellers by offloading 539.2 billion won, while foreigners scooped up a net 458 bill

South Korea's fertility rate continued its steep fall last year as it hit a record low of 0.72, darkening prospects for the country that already has the world's lowest fertility rate, data showed Wednesday. The country's fertility rate -- the average number of children a woman has during her lifetime -- came to 0.72 last year, down from 0.78 in the previous year, according to the preliminary data presented by Statistics Korea. It is the lowest level since 1970 when the state-run s

The head of the country's financial regulator vowed continued efforts Wednesday to quickly address risks related to real estate project financing loans. Lee Bok-hyun, governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, stressed that such efforts will help end the capital crunch caused by PF loans related risks. "We are witnessing signs of a capital crunch as excessive amounts of money invested in real estate PF remain tethered," he told a meeting with the heads of financial think tanks

South Korean stocks started nearly flat Wednesday as investors took a wait-and-see approach ahead of key economic indicators set to be released in the United States this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged up 0.78 points, or 0.03 percent, to 2,625.83 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.25 percent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 0.37 percent. The US is set to announce t

South Korea has become one of the first countries to implement the so-called “global minimum tax rule” this year, which aims to ensure companies pay at least 15 percent tax on corporate income, regardless of where they operate. The initiative aligns with international efforts to tackle tax avoidance by major corporations, as they often seek refuge in low-tax jurisdictions. Korea is one of about 20 nations to adopt the new rule so far, while some countries, including the US, are still

South Korean stocks ended more than 0.8 percent lower Tuesday as investors were in cautious mode ahead of the release of major US economic data later this week. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 22.03 points, or 0.83 percent, to 2,625.05. Trade volume was slightly heavy at 567.4 million shares worth 12.4 trillion won ($9.3 billion), with decliners sharply beating gainers 745 to 149. Institutions led the decline by un

Retail sales in South Korea advanced 8.2 percent on-year in January following the robust performance of online platforms, the industry ministry said Tuesday. The combined sales of 25 major offline and online retailers came to 15.7 trillion won ($11.78 billion) last month, compared with 14.5 trillion won a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Offline store sales edged down 0.3 percent last month, as the Lunar New Year holiday fell in February

South Korean stocks started lower Tuesday as investors took a cautious mode ahead of major US economic data releases later this week, including the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 4.77 points, or 0.18 percent, to 2,642.31 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed lower on profit-taking following a rally last week. Investors were also taking a wait-and-see mode ahead of the release of th

South Korean authorities on Monday introduced a set of measures encouraging listed companies to boost their valuation as a part of efforts to shake off the so-called “Korea discount” which has been haunting the local capital market for decades. Under the “corporate value-up program,” firms listed on the Korean stock market will be advised to disclose their plans to enhance corporate value and shareholder returns while releasing related financial metrics for better communi

South Korean stocks closed lower Monday as investors dumped local shares on the government's weaker-than-expected plans to boost corporate value. The Korean won edged down against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 20.62 points, or 0.77 percent, to close at 2,647.08, ending a two-day winning streak. Trade volume was heavy at 519.6 million shares worth 10.8 trillion won ($8.1 billion), with decliners sharply beating gainers 657 to 231. Institutions and individuals

South Korean stocks started lower Monday as investors sought profits after a recent rally. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 15.89 points, or 0.6 percent, to 2,651.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The main index rose for two straight sessions at the end of last week on the back of Nvidia-led gains in semiconductor shares. Market heavyweights led the negative opening. Top-cap Samsung Electronics fell 0.27 percent, and leading oil refinery SK Innovation slid 1.62 perc

South Korean stocks finished slightly higher Friday as foreign investors bet on local tech shares following AI chip giant Nvidia's strong earnings results. The Korean won lost against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 3.43 points, or 0.13 percent, to close at 2,667.7, extending its winning streak to two straight sessions. Trade volume was moderate at 409.4 million shares worth 10.1 trillion won ($7.59 billion), with decliners beating gainers 514 to 341. F