South Korea
South Korean household credit set to top KRW2 quadrillion
Authorities have introduced a series of measures aimed at restricting housing-market speculation and limiting the growth of household borrowing. But demand for homes has remained firm.
Poland leads the world on defence worry, Finland climbs fastest since 2019
Even in the country most alarmed by it, defence is a top national concern for fewer than one person in three, a Statista survey of 32 countries has found.
Europe’s petrochemical collapse: plants close as investment heads for China
The situation was already severe in July 2025, as high production costs, ageing plants and a surge in global capacity led by China were forcing European producers to shut facilities or reconsider their presence on the continent.
South Korea petrochemicals face renewed margin squeeze
South Korea’s major petrochemical companies returned to profit in the second quarter, but the recovery is expected to prove short-lived as margins deteriorate and global oversupply intensifies.
North Korea fires missile towards Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed relevant government agencies to make every effort to gather and analyse information, provide the public with accurate updates and ensure the safety of aircraft and vessels.
Manila taps South Korea to power nuclear revival
AboitizPower Corporation, one of the Philippines’ leading energy companies, has signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with state-owned South Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to explore nuclear energy deployment.
Korean football accused of providing sex services for referees
Of four Japanese match officials at a 2012 World Cup Asian third-round qualifier between South Korea and Kuwait, two received the massages. South Korea won the game 2-0.
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Turkish refiner Tupras orders four tankers from Korea's Daehan, Samsung for $370mn
Company has also purchased a second-hand Aframax tanker undergoing work at a Chinese CSSC subsidiary for $90mn.
Mega Chinese IPO threatens South Korea chip dominance
A major Chinese IPO in flash memory manufacturing has disrupted the global data storage market, challenging established East Asian tech giants.
Kim Jong Un’s greatest secret – his mother
It would instantly add weight to anti-Kim elements in the military or political elite and general populace of North Korea if these even exist.
Kia to invest $649mn in Mexico EV plant
South Korean automaker Kia Motors will invest $649mn in Mexico between 2026 and 2028 to expand electric vehicle production, the government said on Wednesday, as the country seeks to shore up investor confidence amid uncertainty over US tariffs.
Electrifying Asia – where EVs are reshaping power demand and fuel use
The winners are likely to be countries capable of building integrated ecosystems spanning renewable generation, batteries, charging networks and EV manufacturing.
South Korean military cyber attacks hit record 19,000 cases in 2025
The Cyber Operations Command said identifying attackers remains difficult because of techniques including IP spoofing and the use of overseas infrastructure. It assessed that North Korea’s cyber capabilities are becoming more advanced.
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Korean market expects unanimous BoK rate rise
Governor Shin Hyun-song has said on three occasions since taking office after the May policy meeting that higher interest rates are needed. The central bank has held the benchmark rate at 2.5% since July last year.
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.