South Korea
Banks lift South Korean growth forecast on AI chip boom
JP Morgan raised its forecast to 3.7% in June from 3% a month earlier. Citi increased its projection to 3.5% from 3%.
Beijing raises stakes in economic clash with Tokyo
Beijing expanded its economic pressure campaign against Tokyo in late June, imposing immediate outbound trade limits on 40 Japanese enterprises and state-run scientific bodies.
South Korea's foreign reserves edge higher in June
Foreign securities, including US Treasuries, fell by $330mn from a month earlier to $380.34bn at the end of June.
South Korea raises alert after foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
The ministry said on July 3 that the infections had been identified at farms in Yecheon, about 160km south-east of Seoul.
South Korea bags 2.07mn-tonne tax-free EU steel quota
The deal is a vital win for East Asian industrial supply chains as Seoul protects its critical automotive, battery and electronics manufacturing hubs inside Europe from the trading bloc's sweeping protectionist clampdown.
Turkey's Karpowership starts building new Sea Lion class powerships
Turkey's Karpowership has started building its new 300 MW Sea Lion class floating power plants in South Korea, with delivery due in 2028. Find out how the vessels expand the company's 8,000 MW global fleet and where they could deploy.
Iran could regain four key Asian oil markets if US sanctions lifted
Iran could once again rely on four major Asian markets, China, India, Japan and South Korea, for its crude oil exports if banking sanctions are lifted, a former senior official at the National Iranian Oil Co. (NIOC) said.
North Korea's unlikely economic revival reshapes life in Pyongyang as Russia and China deepen support
Pariah no longer, since the war in Ukraine started, Russian and Chinese money has poured into Pyongyang, fuelling a rapid economic development and unexpected real estate boom in a country better known for repression and poverty.
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South Korea bad loans near KRW18 trillion
Banks are increasingly opting to sell bad loans to specialist NPL investment firms rather than pursuing direct recovery.
Nvidia becomes the AI engine behind South Korea's industrial push
South Korean industrial conglomerates are expanding their partnerships with US chipmaker Nvidia to embed artificial intelligence across advanced pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and robotics.
North Korea launches new naval destroyer, plans for two warships a year
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said a programme to equip the navy with nuclear weapons was proceeding according to plan.
COMMENT: Iran war shows why Asia must quit fossil fuels
Across Asia, governments are now accelerating approvals for renewable projects and grid modernisation schemes. Battery storage investments are making headlines almost daily.
TIIF 2026: From airports to biotech clusters Uzbekistan and Korea scale up new industrial partnership
Uzbekistan-Korea Business Forum showed that for Seoul, Central Asia country has become a key partner.
Asia welcomes Iran-US breakthrough, but caution remains
The tentative peace agreement between the United States and Iran has been greeted with a mixture of relief and caution across much of East and Southeast Asia, a region that has borne more than its fair share of the economic fallout of late.
Starbucks Korea closes nationwide after Tank Day scandal
Protesters picketed outside retail locations, and outlets suffered a significant drop in retail turnover following widespread calls for a consumer boycott.
After 4,400 days in power, India's Modi faces his toughest test yet
On June 10 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the longest serving constitutionally elected prime minister of India.
South Korea ICT exports hit record high on AI chip demand
South Korea’s exports of information and communication technology (ICT) products reached a record monthly high in May, driven by strong demand for semiconductors and other products linked to the artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Former South Korean president sentenced to 30 years over North Korea drone case
The court found that Yoon ordered the operation in October 2024 with the aim of provoking Pyongyang and using the resulting tensions as a pretext for his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024.
Inside the growing speculation around Kim Jong Un’s daughter as heir apparent
According to various intelligence sources, Kim Ju-ae is understood to be the daughter of Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol-ju, although North Korea has never formally confirmed her full biographical details.
Japan’s NTT launches $500mn fund to expand IOWN communications network worldwide
IOWN, or Innovative Optical and Wireless Network, is designed to enable large-volume data communications with low latency and lower power consumption.