February 10, Monday, News Headline

《ECONOMY》

High Inflation Hits First Full Moon Festival Table: Red Beans Soar 45%, Shoppers in Distress

Traditional markets see a 6.2% increase, supermarkets 8.0%. Domestic five-grain mix and nuts? "Priced at will."

Nuclear Power Share Hits 32.5%, Highest in 15 Years—Overtakes Coal as Largest Energy Source

Coal power drops to 29.4% due to carbon neutrality efforts, a 3.5% decrease. LNG power rises to 29.8%, surpassing coal for the first time.

Trump's 'Reciprocal Trade' Storm: Concerns Over Non-Tariff Barriers

Trump accelerates 'trade war' pace compared to his first term. Reciprocal trade policies, including tariffs, to be announced around the 10th. EU car tariffs likely to rise, agricultural products also under discussion. South Korea has largely eliminated U.S. import tariffs but faces agricultural and non-tariff issues.

High Exchange Rates and Tariff Wars to Impact Food Prices Starting May

Rising exchange rates and visible U.S.-China tariff conflicts lead to 10-15% increases in imported fresh food prices. Retail prices of processed foods also rising.

"Hard to See a Doctor, and Now Drug Prices Too?" Getting Sick Becomes Costly

Prices of vitamins, painkillers, and skin disease medications rise this year. Traditional medicine prices surge by 10.5%.

《FINANCE》

Fierce ETF Fee Reduction Battle: Why Only Lower 'Market Index' Fees?

Top competitors Samsung and Mirae Asset engage in a fee war. Derivative and specialty ETF fees remain unchanged, drawing criticism for focusing solely on growing low-cost products.

"Sold Thinking It Would Drop More"… KOSDAQ's Surprise Second-Highest Global Growth

KOSDAQ, which was the worst performer globally last year, rebounds dramatically with a 9.5% rise led by robotics and glass substrates.

Applications for 'Youth Leap Accounts' with 9% Annual Interest Surge Fivefold This Year

Initially slow due to long maturities, but attracted 170,000 applicants last month due to falling deposit rates and increased government subsidies.

Bank Credit Card Delinquency Rate Stays at 3.4% for Second Month—First Surge Post-Card Crisis

Major financial card companies' delinquency rates exceed 1.5%, rising for three consecutive years. Vulnerable multi-debtors struggle to repay even small amounts amid the downturn.

Government Tightens Jeonse Loans—Lower Limits for Low-Income, High-Debt Borrowers

HUG adjusts housing guarantee limit from 100% to 90%, reflecting repayment capacity in jeonse loans. Concerns over rising jeonse prices due to loan growth.

《CORPORATE》

'Mission Impossible' Achieved: SK Hynix Hits 99.99% Yield, Success Preceded by 'Low-Power DDR' Legacy

Overcoming extreme customer demands and skepticism, SK Hynix rises as a global supplier. The HBM success reflects the company's hunger and organizational management.

Google’s ‘Willow’ vs. China’s ‘Zuchongzhi’: Quantum Computing Race Heats Up

China announces a 105-qubit quantum processor a week after Google's Willow. Although unable to replicate Willow's error-implementation technology, China claims it will within months. $10.5 billion invested in quantum tech, signaling U.S.-China competition entering commercialization.

“CEO Personally Comments”: LG Electronics Strengthens 'AI Alliance' with Microsoft

LG Electronics CEO's first post receives a comment from Microsoft's CEO: “Looking forward to it.” Collaboration expands from home appliances to IDC.

Orum Therapeutics Enters Stock Market After Turmoil—Proving Core Corporate Value Remains a Challenge

General subscription rate at 2.11:1 following weak institutional demand. Issues with key pipeline side effects lead to the lowest subscription rate among major biotech IPOs, despite high market cap evaluation.

Hyundai Prioritizes HMGMA Workforce Expansion: "Increase U.S. Production"

Uncertainty grows with Trump administration's 'tariff wars'. Hyundai plans to ramp up production to 500,000 units annually at its new HMGMA plant in the U.S. Accelerated hiring in quality, parts development, and engineering this year.

《REAL ESTATE》

Lower Loan Barriers Push MaPo, Jongno Property Prices to New Highs

Large apartment complexes like Gongdeok Xi and Kyunghee Palace Xi see strong demand despite real estate slump. Proximity to the city and good living conditions drive purchases amid supply shortages. Macro-economic caution persists.

Seoul Apartment Transactions Plummet, Listings Surge—How Long Will the Market Freeze Last?

January apartment sales in Seoul remain around 2,000 units. Transactions steadily decline since last July's peak, down to one-fifth of previous levels. Listings increase 14% year-on-year despite seller reluctance during the slump.

GTX-A Northern Line Opens, But Property Prices Remain Calm

Few transactions around Paju Unjeong Central Station post-opening. Apartment prices drop due to pre-reflected expectations and loan restrictions. Short-term price hikes seem unlikely until areas near Kintex Station rise first.

"Barely One Deal a Month"—45 Real Estate Offices Close Daily Amid Market Freeze

Transaction turnover halved compared to three years ago.

Construction Industry Faces 'Dark Clouds' with Declining Results

Hyundai Construction posts first loss in 23 years. Daewoo E&C and DL E&C also see performance setbacks. Focus on 'internal management' expected to intensify this year.

《SOCIETY》

One Week of Cold Snap Freezes Han River

KMA officially announces Han River freezing on the 9th, 14 days later than last winter. Cases of cold-related illnesses and water meter freezes increase.

139-Ton Trawler Sinks Near Habaekdo, Yeosu—3 Dead, 6 Missing

One more Korean crew member found unconscious. A 5-ton Coast Guard boat capsizes during rescue.

Will Yoon's Impeachment Trial Conclude Next Week? Ruling Possible Late February to Early March

All 15 witnesses summoned by the Constitutional Court to be questioned by the 13th. Final ruling after closing arguments unless more witnesses like Han Duck-soo are added.

Prosecutors Forced to Use Own Money to Catch Fugitives Amid Budget Cuts

Special funds for prosecution entirely cut, increasing difficulties in investigations. Over 5,000-6,000 new convicts annually, but only about half caught. Budget cuts hinder operations, leading to frustration among prosecutors.

Mass Resignation of Medical Residents Leads to Unexpected Results: Shorter Gastric Cancer Surgery Times, Fewer Complications

Study by Prof. Yoon Moon-won of Asan Medical Center shows complication rates drop from 22% to 9%, and surgery time reduced from 164.5 to 154 minutes. However, increased workload makes this unsustainable.

《INTERNATIONAL》

Trump Announces 'Reciprocal Tariffs'—Will Trade War Expand?

"An eye for an eye, a tariff for a tariff" announcement expected on the 10th-11th. EU likely first target, with attention on specific goods. Potential to ignite new trade wars, with consumers bearing the brunt.

Trump: "Talked to Putin, He Wants to Stop the Killing"—Offers $500 Million to Zelensky

First call with Putin revealed in NYP. Trump claims to have always maintained good relations with Putin and criticizes Biden as an embarrassment to the nation.

Trump Emphasizes 'Complete Denuclearization of North Korea, U.S.-Japan-South Korea Cooperation' After Re-election

Document from U.S.-Japan summit specifies denuclearization, easing fears of abandonment. While Trump vows to engage with North Korea, he is unlikely to rush. Shift from 'Korean Peninsula denuclearization' to 'North Korea denuclearization' highlights U.S. commitment to regional stability.

Courts Halt Trump and Musk's Overreach: 'Preventing Irreversible Damage'

U.S. court blocks Musk’s access to Treasury Department secrets. Court also restrains rapid reforms like merging international development agencies. Concerns grow over constitutional crisis if Trump ignores judicial authority.

'Zombie Drug' Could Soon Spread in Korea—China's 'Century of Humiliation' Revenge?

Experts warn Chinese fentanyl precursor manufacturers focus on exports, not domestic sales. China implicated in ultra-potent synthetic drug 'Nitazenes,' 40 times stronger than fentanyl. U.S.-China cooperation on drugs stalls amid strategic rivalry. Korea, already a drug transit point, faces imminent fentanyl crisis.

Seoul Tribune (c)

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