February 20 (Thursday) News Headline
- seoultribune
- 2월 23일
- 5분 분량
《Economy》
A 25% Tariff Storm is Coming... How to Prepare?
Trump announces a 25% tariff on automobiles: "It will gradually increase over a year."
Korea's automobile exports to the U.S. account for 50%, raising concerns over heavy losses if high tariffs are imposed.
U.S. Congress and industry opposition could hinder implementation.
Similar tariffs were attempted in 2018 but failed.
Could be used as a negotiation tactic until April.
Experts advise reducing dependence on U.S. exports and preparing mid-to-long-term strategies.
"Job-Creating Positions at a 6-Year Low"... 20s & 40s Hit Hardest, Employment Crisis Materializing?
Construction and real estate slumps, weak domestic demand fueling a "job winter."
150,000 jobs lost for those under 20, 70,000 for those in their 40s – worst decline on record.
Only the 60+ age group sees job growth: "Aging workforce raises concerns for future generations."
"Preparing for the AI Era with Carbon-Free Power"—11th Electricity Plan Clears Legislative Hurdle
Number of new large nuclear power plants adjusted from 3 to 2.
Clean Firm Energy (CFE) share to increase to 70% by 2038.
The Ministry of Industry to finalize the 11th electricity plan on the 21st through the Power Policy Review Committee.
LNG Becomes a Key U.S. Negotiation Card… What Role Will POSCO International Play?
Trump: "If you don’t want tariffs, buy U.S. energy."
U.S. LNG imports emerging as a bargaining tool in negotiations.
POSCO International securing North American LNG in advance, benefiting energy security and profitability.
Extending Retirement Age & Raising Senior Citizen Threshold Amid Low Birth Rates
Government’s mid-to-long-term strategy committee suggests raising the age for senior citizen benefits and social insurance eligibility.
Proposals include revamping immigration policies to secure talent, revising work visa rules, and establishing a skilled workforce pool.
《Finance》
KOSPI Rises Over 1% on Foreign Buying, Hovering Around 2,670
Individual investors selling, while foreign and institutional investors are buying.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix strong amid U.S. semiconductor rally.
Strength in metals and manufacturing; pharmaceuticals declining.
Solana Faces 'Meme Coin Issue & Supply Dump'… Further Drop or Already Priced In?
Solana-based meme coins spark controversy as politicians get involved.
Potential market sell-off of Solana assets previously liquidated during the FTX collapse.
Some say credibility is lost, while others argue for a rebound.
Government Bonds Mostly Up… RBA’s Rate Decision Matters More Than BOK Chief’s Speech
Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision limits further rate cuts.
Asian and Korean bond markets under pressure.
Despite a strong dollar, the KRW/USD rise remains limited due to increased risk asset appetite.
Goldman Sachs: BOK to Cut Rates 25bp Per Quarter, 2.25% by Q3
Additional rate cut expected in February’s Monetary Policy Meeting.
Domestic demand weakness and tariff uncertainty easing.
Gold Rush Frenzy Cools Off… Warning on Excessive Returns
Domestic gold prices significantly exceed global gold rates.
Temporary supply-demand imbalances could distort prices.
《Business》
Trump’s Return Intensifies 'K-Defense' Competition in the Middle East—Top Executives Get Involved
Direct confrontation with the U.S. is difficult; niche strategies needed.
Hanwha’s Kim Dong-kwan and LIG’s Koo Bon-sang strengthening local networks and partnerships.
SK Accelerates ‘AI Balancing’… Subsidiaries to Fall Below 200
Group-wide ‘Operational Improvement 2.0’ to enhance core competitiveness.
Frequent reviews of affiliates and AI-driven restructuring.
Subsidiary count, once 219, shrinking quickly.
More restructuring expected, including mid-tier holding companies.
LG Energy Solution to Supply Batteries to Toyota After Acquiring Michigan Plant
Agrees to acquire GM joint venture stake.
Battery production site for the contract adjusted.
Trump Announces 25% Drug Tariff… Pharma & Biotech Scramble for Countermeasures
Celltrion expanding U.S. finished drug production while focusing on raw material exports.
SK Biopharm considering changes in CMO partnerships.
Korean Companies Own 3,000 Nvidia AI Chips, Musk’s ‘Grok 3’ Uses 200,000
Elon Musk unveils AI chatbot 'Grok 3,' sparking interest.
U.S. big tech firms' overwhelming capital power.
Urgent need to expand domestic AI infrastructure.
Naver seeks full government support.
《Real Estate》
Weak Response to Unsold Housing Measures… "Five-Year Capital Gains Tax Waiver Needed"
Government proposes underground railways and unsold home purchases.
Unlikely to significantly alter market conditions; calls for balanced regional development.
LH to Purchase Unsold Homes in Local Areas… Fears of Moral Hazard Among Builders
Ministry of Land announces local construction market support plan.
LH to buy 3,000 unsold units in struggling areas.
Stricter quality, location, and pricing criteria required for purchases.
Local Construction Revitalization via Development Projects in Busan, Daejeon, and Ansan
Underground railway projects worth 4.3 trillion KRW selected; basic planning underway.
Yongin national industrial complex to break ground next year, boosting local projects.
Government Takes Bold Steps to Revive Local Construction… Effectiveness Uncertain
Special measures announced at Economic Review Meeting.
Preferential rates for unsold housing purchases.
Expanded household loan targets for regional banks.
DSR (Debt Service Ratio) relief denied.
‘Completion Guarantee’ Rules Eased, Up to 8 Trillion KRW in Policy Finance Injected
New guidelines differentiate liability based on delay duration.
State banks to support loans and guarantees.
Local development project fees fully waived until year-end.
《Society》
A Society That Turns Death into ‘Dopamine’… From Hate Comments to Conspiracy Theories
Speculation over actress Kim Sae-ron’s past actions.
Conspiracy theories linking her to secret organizations.
Ongoing secondary victimization of her family.
"Desensitization to death turning into entertainment."
Employees Can Now Take University-Level AI & Digital Courses Online
Government launches lifelong learning MOOC.
Four-week online/offline AI and digital courses for workers.
Match-up programs for university students and job seekers.
Medical School Enrollment Next Year to Remain Under University Control
Unclear projections for 2026 quotas as medical workforce commission has yet to be formed.
50% autonomy in 2025 sets precedent; full autonomy under consideration.
Teacher’s Murder: 'Weapon' & 'Murder News' Searched Before Crime
Elementary school teacher searched crime-related keywords before the act.
Forensic investigation ongoing.
Police suspect premeditated murder but have not yet interrogated the teacher directly.
“Can’t Wear This Anymore”... Moms in Daechi-dong Ditch Moncler Jackets
Moncler jacket resale surges after influencer Lee Soo-ji’s viral video.
586% increase in listings, 965% increase in transactions on BungaeJangter.
"Gangnam Mom Uniform" falling out of favor.
《International》
"Ukraine Started the War"… Trump & Putin Teaming Up to Oust Zelensky?
U.S.-Russia held high-level talks excluding Ukraine.
Fox News: "Ceasefire agreement focuses on Ukrainian elections."
Trump criticizes Zelensky, suggesting he prolongs the war.
Trump Strengthening Ties with Taiwan… U.S.-China Conflict Warning
Taiwan ramping up U.S. arms purchases & semiconductor investments.
U.S. State Department removes ‘non-support for Taiwan independence’ from statements.
Chinese state media warns against using Taiwan to counter China.
1 in 5 Americans Hoarding Goods Amid Inflation & Soaring Egg Prices
Inflation persists despite Trump’s pledge to end it.
CreditCard.com report: Consumer spending patterns shifting.
Tariff concerns impacting markets.
Trump Tariffs, US Steel Conflict, Anti-Dumping Probes… South Korea-U.S.-Japan Supply Chain Tensions
U.S. and Japan agree to invest in steel instead of a US Steel acquisition.
Japanese steelmakers protest, considering lawsuits.
Uncertainty remains in tariff negotiations.
Zelensky Rejects Russia-U.S. Ceasefire Terms… “Putin’s Ultimatum”
Zelensky: “Why assume we’ll accept an agreement that excludes us?”
Kyiv under air raid alert right after negotiations.
Seoul Tribune (c)
Comments