[Seoul Tribune] Feb. 3, Mon, News Headline
- seoultribune
- 2월 3일
- 5분 분량
《Economy》
Trump Tariff Pressure Intensifies… Red Flags for Korean Exports as Well
January exports amounted to $49.1 billion, a 10.3% decrease year-on-year.
Trade balance recorded a deficit for the first time in 21 months due to export decline.
The decrease in working days due to the Lunar New Year holiday had a significant impact.
Uncertainty grows with the tariff war sparked by Trump.
The ‘universal tariff’ scheduled for April implementation could be a major variable.
Korea’s Per Capita GDP Estimated at $36,000 Last Year, Surpassing Japan and Taiwan
Japan: $32,859, Taiwan: $33,234
How Many Big Macs Can You Buy with an Hour’s Wage? Japan: 2.2, Korea: 1.8
Nikkei analyzed hourly wages at major global fast-food chains based on local Big Mac prices.
Japan’s hourly wage in USD has dropped by $1.6 over the past five years.
Japan’s labor distribution ratio—the share of corporate earnings given to workers—is the lowest among major economies, in stark contrast to Korea’s high ratio.
High Tariffs on Korean Home Appliances and Battery Production Bases in Canada and Mexico… Strategy Adjustment Unavoidable
Mexican home appliances and Canadian batteries used as export hubs benefiting from USMCA.
Korean product price competitiveness may weaken, leading to considerations for stronger U.S. production.
1.37 Million People Unwillingly Left Their Jobs Last Year… Ultra-Short-Term Employment Surpasses 2.5 Million
Involuntary unemployment increased for the first time in four years, with 4 out of 10 retirees affected.
Ultra-short-term employment (less than 36 hours per week) nears 9 million.
《Finance》
Trump’s ‘Tariff Bombshell’ Sends Cryptocurrency Prices Plummeting
Crypto markets fell following tariff decisions on Canada, Mexico, and China.
Bitcoin briefly dropped below $100,000 due to China’s retaliatory measures.
"Is Money That Important?"… The Chinese Developer Who Wiped Out $1 Trillion in U.S. Market Cap
Liang Wenfeng, founder and CEO of DeepSeek, studied at Zhejiang University.
Made massive profits through deep-learning-based quantitative investment.
Prioritizes research-focused development over financial gains.
Known for "insane dedication" to overcoming U.S. semiconductor restrictions.
Prolonged High Interest Rates Triple Bad Debt at Five Major Banks in Two Years
The five major banks suffered 7.1 trillion won in bad debt.
Growing concerns over prolonged high interest rates.
"How Much More Are You Going to Cut Credit Loans?"… Five Major Banks Reduce Household Loans for the First Time in 10 Months
Despite an increase in mortgage loans, credit loans decreased by 3 trillion won.
Affected by increased loan repayments and a sluggish real estate market.
Foreign Investors Spooked by DeepSeek and Trump’s Tariffs… KOSPI Under Pressure
Foreign investors dumped 1 trillion won in semiconductor stocks in a single day.
AI-driven optimism from DeepSeek clashes with concerns over universal tariffs and big tech earnings.
《Companies》
Despite Domestic Slowdown, SUVs Continue to Sell… New Models Await Release This Year
SUV sales increased last year despite economic downturn.
Korean automakers expanding new SUV models to counter domestic slowdown and EV stagnation.
Competition intensifies with the entry of U.S., European, and now Chinese automakers.
Korea Zinc Dispute Heads to Court… Legal Battle Over SMC’s Corporate Structure
"Illegal circular cross-shareholding" vs. "Necessary business decision."
Legal scrutiny over whether SMC is a limited liability company or a private corporation.
Samsung Took 25 Years to Achieve This… But One Company Hit 10 Trillion Won in Sales in Just 6 Years
Naver becomes the first internet platform to reach 10 trillion won in annual revenue.
Expansion driven by commerce and other new businesses.
Biopharmaceutical CDMO Market to Expand Further This Year… Competition Shifts from Companies to Nations
The CDMO market for biopharmaceuticals is projected to reach 63.7 trillion won by 2029.
Global players are aggressively entering the sector, with the U.S. actively countering China.
Korea is accelerating legislative support and national policies to foster its CDMO industry.
Korean Shipbuilders Target U.S. Navy MRO Market… Could It Lead to Warship Contracts?
Hanwha Ocean aims to secure 5–6 additional orders this year.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries targets three orders within the year.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction highlights its naval MRO capabilities.
《Real Estate》
Diverging Fortunes of Apartments and Villas in the Rental Market
Apartment sale prices decline while rental prices rise, with rental rates increasing for 10 consecutive months.
Villas continue to struggle due to fallout from rental fraud scandals.
Why Is Demand for Housing Pensions Rising Again?
1,507 new enrollments in December, an 18.2% increase from November.
Construction firms face liquidity crises as the real estate market downturn continues.
Seoul’s ‘Top 50 Leading Complexes’ Mostly Limited to Gangnam Now… Only Two Remain in Busan
64% of Seoul’s leading apartment complexes are concentrated in Gangnam’s three districts.
Seoul Apartment Recovery Rate Shows Stark Contrast… 108% in Seocho vs. 74% in Dobong
Seocho and Gangnam exceed previous peak levels, while 11 districts recover over 90%.
Recovery lags in areas heavily impacted by ‘panic buying’ like Nowon, Dobong, and Gwanak.
Will Jamsil Apartments Hit 3 Billion Won? Skepticism Remains Despite Land Transaction Permit Hopes
Seoul government expected to announce land transaction permit zone relaxation in February.
Prices for popular complexes like Els and Ricenz hover around 2.8 billion won.
Skepticism over sustained demand due to preference for new apartments and limited gap investment.
《Society》
Fire at National Hangeul Museum Extinguished After 7 Hours… One Firefighter Injured
Fire likely originated from an expansion site.
No harm to visitors or cultural assets.
Subzero Temperatures with Strong Winds… Beware of Icy Roads
Morning lows range from -12°C to 2°C, with daytime highs from -6°C to 5°C.
Seoul: Morning low of -7°C, daytime high of -2°C.
Air quality remains ‘good’ across all regions.
The End of ‘Half-Price Tuition’ Era… Calls to Revise Tuition-Dependent University Funding
Even Seoul Metropolitan University, known for ‘half-price tuition,’ raises fees by 5%.
56 universities have decided to raise tuition, with more expected to follow.
Freelancer or Employee? 27.4% of Office Workers Have Freelanced, But 65% Were ‘Illegal Freelancers’
Survey of 1,000 office workers found that 27.4% had freelanced.
65.3% were classified as ‘illegal freelancers’ due to employer directives.
"Is the Holiday Really Over?"… Workers Struggle with ‘Post-Holiday Syndrome’
Many anticipated a record-long 9-day Lunar New Year holiday.
Reports of fatigue and lack of motivation rise.
Experts advise restoring routine for recovery.
《International》
Trump’s Tariff War Targets Top Trading Partners… Could Backfire with Inflation and Slowed Growth in the U.S.
“Until illegal immigration and fentanyl are resolved…” Trump moderates stance on Canadian oil.
Grocery prices under pressure, potentially fueling inflation.
Howard Marks: ‘U.S. Interest Rates to Hold at 3.5%… Era of Leverage Investing Is Over’
The 40-year era of declining interest rates has ended.
Investors must revise leverage-based strategies.
Canada Retaliates Against Trump’s 10% Tariff… Economic ‘Chicken Game’ in Play
Canadian PM Trudeau imposes 25% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods and advises against travel to the U.S.
Mexico activates ‘Plan B,’ raising concerns over an escalating North American tariff war.
Western Nations Scramble to ‘Cut Ties’ with DeepSeek
Taiwan bans its use, Japan restricts public-sector use.
Italy blocks access, India rushes to develop alternatives.
China Strikes Back Against Trump’s Additional 10% Tariff, Threatens WTO Action
China vows countermeasures to protect its interests.
Experts suggest Beijing has prepared multiple retaliation options.
Seoul Tribune (c)
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