An economic surveillance organization in Asia has expected the South Korean economy to expand 2.3 percent this year on rising exports, Seoul's finance ministry said Monday. The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office made the assessment in its regional report, noting that the recovery of the semiconductor sector will boost exports and lead the overall economic growth, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Last year, the Korean economy expanded 1.4 percent amid a global economic sl

Hana Bank, South Korea's major commercial bank, opened a new dealing room -- the latest of its kind here -- in Seoul on Wednesday. Named "Hana Infinity Seoul" to signify the bank's ambition to expand its global reach, the new dealing room occupies the fourth and fifth floors of the lender's headquarters in Jung-gu, central Seoul. Spanning 2,096 square meters and with seating for 126, it is the country's largest such space, the bank states. The opening ceremony was a

South Korea's foreign exchange reserves rebounded in March after a two-month decline, backed by deposits and investment gains offsetting the strong US dollar, the central bank said Wednesday. The country's foreign reserves had come to $419.25 billion as of late March, up $3.51 billion from the previous month, according to the data from the Bank of Korea. The figure advanced on-month after declining for the first two months of the year. It moved down $4.4 billion and $20 million in Janu

Yun Ho-young, CEO of Kakao Bank, has been appointed as a new board member for Grab, the largest super-app operator in Southeast Asia, the Internet-only lender confirmed Wednesday. Yun was officially appointed as an outside director of Grab's board on Monday and will serve as a member of the board's audit committee. Yun's appointment follows the strategic partnership formed between the two companies last year. In October, Kakao Bank announced the acquisition of a 10 percent stake i

Financial regulators are ramping up efforts to encourage local companies to participate in the government's initiative to bolster South Korea's market valuation. The Financial Services Commission announced a series of new incentives on Tuesday for companies improving their governance structures, including exemptions from the government's stringent auditor designation system. Under the current regulations, listed companies appointing auditors voluntarily for six consecutive years m

South Korea's inflation stayed over 3 percent for the second consecutive month in March on record prices of fruits and rising global oil prices, data showed Tuesday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 3.1 percent on-year last month, following a 3.2 percent increase the previous month, according to the data from Statistics Korea. In January, inflation fell below 3 percent for the first time since July 2023, but high prices of fruits, farm produce and energy have caused inflation

South Korea's exports moved up for the sixth consecutive month in March on the back of the robust performance of chips, data showed Monday. Outbound shipments gained 3.1 percent on-year to $56.5 billion last month, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Imports decreased 12.3 percent on-year to $52.2 billion last month, resulting in a trade surplus of $4.28 billion. South Korea has been maintaining a trade surplus for 10 consecutive months. By sector,

As Mirae Asset thrives in India, more Korean brokerages eye opportunities, amid lingering regulatory setbacks

South Korea's consumer prices increase is estimated to stay above 3 percent for the second month in March on energy price and foreign exchange variables, market reports showed Sunday. The country's March inflation outlooks estimated by eight securities firms, including NH Investment & Securities, Kyobo Securities, Meritz Securities and DB Financial Investment, averaged at 3.2 percent. In January, inflation fell below 3 percent for the first time since July 2023, when the figure cam

South Korea's industrial output rose for the fourth consecutive month in February on the back of increasing semiconductor production, but retail sales fell amid high inflation, data showed Friday. Industrial output increased 1.3 percent on-month last month, following a 0.4 percent rise the previous month, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea. Industrial production has been on a constant increase since December. Last month's growth came as the output in the overall mining

Lee Bok-hyun, head of South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service, pledged Thursday to promote "sound and fair finance," aiming to enhance the country's allure as an investment destination for foreign investors. Lee addressed officials from global financial firms and foreign diplomats during the annual "FSS Speaks" forum held in Seoul under the theme "toward sound and fair finance." "In striving for this objective, we aim to cultivate market practices

Global index provider FTSE Russell puts Korea's inclusion on hold again, but on a positive note

Measures show desperation to reverse plummeting birth rate

Seoul shares soar following FOMC, experts project BOK rate cut to start in July

President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Wednesday to improve the conditions for family business successions as he lamented local conglomerates' reluctance to grow their value out of fear of having to pay a larger inheritance tax. Yoon made the promise during a special lecture marking the 51st Commerce & Industry Day in front of some 1,000 people, including the chief executives of large family-run conglomerates, such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group and LG Group. "Many companies