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☆ North Korea Tested Firing Cruise Missiles on Feb 2 -KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea tested its cruise missiles as well as new land-to-air missiles off its west coast on Feb. 2, state media reported on Saturday, confirming a barrage of launches for weapons it said are aimed at enhancing defense capabilities. The launch on Friday marked the fourth time in just over a week that Pyongyang has launched such missiles. "These tests are part of the normal activities of the General Directorate and the Agency for Defense Development under its jurisdiction to advance the technology of new weapon systems in various aspects such as their function, performance, and operation, and are unrelated to the regional situation," the KCNA said. The KCNA usually comments on their missile tests about a day after the launch takes place. (Reporting by Cynthia Kim; editing by Diane Craft)

Persons: Cynthia Kim, Diane Craft Organizations: Agency for Defense Development Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, Pyongyang

☆ South Korea's Yoon set to announce cabinet reshuffle -media
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol gives a speech on the government budget at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, 31 October 2023. JEON HEON-KYUN/Pool via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Dec 4 (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is likely to announce a major cabinet reshuffle as early as Monday, with as many as 10 ministers including the finance minister set to be replaced, Yonhap news agency reported. The financial regulator head could also be replaced, the Korea Economic Daily reported on Monday, also citing unidentified sources. Some cabinet members are widely expected to stand down to capitalise on their increased profile to run as political candidates. Yoon does not require parliamentary approval to appoint a finance minister, who also serves as deputy prime minister.

Persons: Yoon Suk, JEON HEON, Yonhap, Park, Choo Kyung, Choi Sang, Yoon, Hyunsu Yim, Cynthia Kim, Ed Davies, Christopher Cushing Organizations: South, National Assembly, Rights, Korea Economic, Foreign, Finance, Democratic Party of Korea, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, Korea, Busan

A shopkeeper naps as she waits for customers at a traditional market in Seoul, South Korea, April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Dec 5 (Reuters) - South Korea's inflation eased for the first time in four months in November, bringing relief to policymakers worried about persistent inflation risks as they plan to keep their restrictive monetary policy in place for longer. "Compared to core inflation in the U.S. and Europe that seem to be still in the 4% to 5% range, (South Korea's core inflation) seems to be far more stable," said Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho at a policy meeting in Seoul. "Considering this, we see inflation stabilizing in a steady manner going forward, unless we face some additional external shocks." The Bank of Korea kept interest rates steady at 3.50% last week at its final policy meeting of the year and signalled it may need to keep interest rates higher for longer to head off persistent inflation risks.

Persons: naps, Kim Hong, Choo Kyung, BOK, Jihoon Lee, Chris Reese, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters Survey, Bank of, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, U.S, Europe, Bank of Korea

"With this (decision) Yoon is trying to make sure there is policy continuity in place ahead of election," said Park Sang-hyun, an economist at HI Investment & Securities. "Choi has been long-time finance ministry person and he basically spearheaded major economics policies of the Yoon administration from the very beginning so its a safe choice." Choi has a bachelor's degree from the Seoul National University law school, where Yoon also studied around the same time. Choi's career in government service has been mostly at the finance ministry, overseeing economic policy making, financial market policies, and external business relations. Yoon doesn’t need parliamentary approval to appoint a new finance minister, who also serves as deputy prime minister.

Persons: Yoon Suk, Choi Sang, mok, Choi, Choo, Yoon, Yoon's, Yoon doesn’t, Soo, hyang Choi, Ed Davies Organizations: HI Investment, Securities, Gallup, Bank of, Seoul National University, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Gallup Korea, Daegu

☆ South Korea's Yoon Set to Announce Cabinet Reshuffle -Media
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is likely to announce a major cabinet reshuffle as early as Monday, with as many as 10 ministers including the finance minister set to be replaced, Yonhap news agency reported. The transport and labour ministers may also be changed, Yonhap said, citing unidentified sources. The financial regulator head could also be replaced, the Korea Economic Daily reported on Monday, also citing unidentified sources. Some cabinet members are widely expected to stand down to capitalise on their increased profile to run as political candidates. Yoon does not require parliamentary approval to appoint a finance minister, who also serves as deputy prime minister.

Persons: Yoon Suk, Yonhap, Park, Choo Kyung, Choi Sang, Yoon, Hyunsu Yim, Cynthia Kim, Ed Davies, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Korea Economic, Foreign, Finance, Democratic Party of Korea Locations: SEOUL, Korea, Busan

☆ South Korea Finance Chief Defends Short-Sell Ban Ahead of Elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Cynthia Kim and Jihoon LeeSEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's finance minister defended the government's ban on short-selling of stocks, an announcement that comes ahead of general elections next year and has drawn criticism from market players who say the move could hurt the country's global credibility. The financial regulator on Sunday reimposed a full ban on short-selling until the end of June 2024 to create a "level playing field" for retail and institutional investors. "The move completely thwarted Korea's plans to convince MSCI that it deserves a spot in the developed market status. The number of retail stock trading accounts has roughly doubled since 2017 to about 14 million, with about one in every five Koreans having an account. South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service in October said it would likely fine two Hong Kong-based investment banks it determined had engaged in naked short-selling transactions worth 40 billion won ($29.58 million) and 16 billion won respectively.

Persons: Cynthia Kim, Jihoon Lee SEOUL, Choo, Korea's, we're, Cho Jun, kee, Jihoon Lee, Tom Hogue, Navaratnam Organizations: MSCI Inc, SK Securities, Financial, Service, Credit Suisse Locations: Philippines, Korea, South Korea, Portugal, Hong Kong

Two officials from a Korean defence company confirmed the syndicated loan plan. Two officials at South Korean banks said there would be loans, but did not specify the type. That deal was worth $13.7 billion, South Korea's largest to date. The South Korean government didn't immediately provide a comment when asked for one. The South Korean government official did not elaborate on the size of the potential syndicated loan.

Persons: Kacper, didn't, 1,320.4500, Cynthia Kim, Seunggyu Lim, Jihoon Lee, Josh Smith, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, South Korean, South, Korea's, Hyundai Rotem Co, Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, U.S, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Wierzbiny, Orzysz, Poland, Rights SEOUL, South Korean, South, Seoul, Ukraine, Russia, Europe

SEOUL, Oct 26 (Reuters) - South Korea's economy fared better than expected in the third quarter with the expansion underpinned by exports, backing the case for the central bank to keep rates on hold for the months ahead. Government spending grew 0.1%, and construction investment expanded 2.2% after contracting 0.8% in the second quarter. On an annual basis, Asia's fourth-largest economy grew 1.4% in the third quarter, after a 0.9% gain in the second quarter and beating a 1.1% rise expected by economists. South Korea's central bank held interest rates steady for a sixth straight meeting last week, retaining a tightening bias on monetary policy as it warned of inflationary risks from the Israel-Hamas conflict and global oil prices. In a separate Reuters survey conducted early this month, South Korea's economic growth was forecast to slow to 1.2% in 2023 from 2.6% in 2022.

Persons: Ed Davies, Sam Holmes Organizations: Gross, Bank of, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Bank of Korea, Korea's, Israel

☆ South Korea's Yoon Departs for Saudi Arabia and Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol left for Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday to discuss business cooperation as well as to discuss security conditions amid the crisis in the Middle East, his office said. Yoon, in what would be the first state visit by a South Korean leader, will hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday, and will travel to Qatar on Oct. 24-25 for a summit and to attend a business forum. The state visit takes place roughly a year after the Saudi crown prince visited South Korea and discussed cooperation in the areas of energy, defence and infrastructure construction, signing investment pacts worth $30 billion with Korean firms. Business leaders accompanying President Yoon include Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair E.S. Chung and the heads of Hanwha, GS, and HD Hyundai conglomerates, according to Yoon's office.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jay Y, Lee, Chung, Cynthia Kim, Lincoln Organizations: South, Saudi Crown, Business, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group, Hyundai Locations: SEOUL, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Korean, Saudi, South Korea

[1/2] A South Korea won note is seen in this illustration photo May 31, 2017. South Korean companies repatriated a record $33.13 billion of overseas earnings during the January-July period, 6.3 times the amount a year earlier, central bank data on current account balances showed. "The coming home of earnings retained abroad has been a big help for the won," a government official in charge of foreign exchange market said, asking not to be named due to internal policy. The automaker said on June 12 it plans to invest 7.8 trillion won ($5.82 billion) of retained earnings from overseas operations this year in electric car factories at home. The surge in repatriation also comes ahead of trading reforms planned for next year, when South Korea will extend onshore trading hours until 2 a.m. to improve access for foreign investors.

Persons: Thomas White, Yoon Suk, Hong Sung, kook, Min Gyeong, 1,340.7400, Jihoon Lee, Cynthia Kim, Joyce Lee, Heekyong Yang, Vidya Ranganathan Organizations: South, REUTERS, Rights, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, Kia Corp, Reuters Graphics Bank of Korea, Woori Bank, Hyundai, Hyundai Motor Group, Shinhan Bank, Yena, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Rights SEOUL, Korea

REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 15 (Reuters) - South Korea is reviewing measures to limit currency and swap traders' tenure in local dealing rooms to three to five years, starting as early as next year, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday. "The FSS is in the process of finalizing the measures by collecting views from the bankers' federation." Money managers at local banks are fiercely opposing the move, as fraud checks are already rigorously done in their daily operations through middle- and back offices. Foreign banks with local branches will not be subject to enforcement on staffer rotations. The move could be in effect around the time the country's onshore currency market will be extended to 2 a.m. local time, or the end of London business day.

Persons: Thomas White, we're, Cynthia Kim, Kim Coghill Organizations: South, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Woori Bank, Financial Supervisory Service, Korean, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Rights SEOUL, London

☆ South Korea should maintain current monetary, fiscal policies, IMF says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 6 (Reuters) - South Korea should maintain current, restrictive monetary and fiscal policies as it needs to take steps to return to sustainable finances and address inflation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday. Instead of undermining economic growth, the prudent fiscal policy is judged to be instrumental in keeping South Korea's economic fundamentals strong in the medium term, Finger said at a press conference. Finger told reporters the IMF decided not to evaluate South Korea's foreign exchange reserve adequacy based on its Assessing Reserve Adequacy (ARA) metrics from July. The measure is mostly for emerging economies, and given its economic characteristics, it is more appropriate to assess South Korea's on a scenario basis, Finger said.

Persons: Yuri Gripas, Harald Finger, Finger, China's, Cynthia Kim, Jihoon Lee, Jacqueline Wong, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Monetary Fund, REUTERS, Rights, International Monetary Fund, South Korean, Bank of Korea, IMF, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Rights SEOUL, South Korea, Korea

☆ South Korea to provide exporters $137 billion of policy financing until year-end
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, Sept 4 (Reuters) - South Korea will provide up to 181 trillion won ($137 billion) of cheap loans to exporters until the end of this year and waive visa processing fees for Chinese tourists to spur exports and tourism, its finance ministry said on Monday. The government aims to increase the number of Chinese tourists to 1.5 million a month from the current one million by expediting waiving visa fees and coordinating tourist events with retailers. "In September, the trade balance is likely to remain in surplus while the declines in exports will further ease, and exports are likely to swing to growth during the fourth quarter," finance minister Choo Kyung-ho told policymakers at a meeting on Monday. Analysts at ING forecast we third-quarter economic growth will decelerate to 0.2% quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted from 0.6% in the second quarter, with domestic demand slowing further. ($1 = 1,317.5500 won)Reporting by Cynthia Kim; Editing by Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: expediting, Choo Kyung, 1,317.5500, Cynthia Kim, Kim Coghill Organizations: ING, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea

☆ North Korea says it staged 'tactical nuclear attack' drill
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, Sept 3 (Reuters) - North Korea conducted a simulated "tactical nuclear attack" drill early on Saturday that included two long-range cruise missiles carrying mock nuclear warheads, in response to allied exercises by the U.S. and South Korea, state media reported on Sunday. The KCNA news agency said the drill was carried out to "warn the enemies of the actual nuclear war danger" as Pyongyang again vowed to bolster military deterrence against Washington and Seoul. "The nuclear force of the DPRK will bolster up its responsible combat counteraction posture in every way to deter war and preserve peace and stability," the KCNA statement said. The joint annual summertime exercises between South Korea and the U.S., known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, came to a close on Thursday after an 11-day run featuring air drills with B-1B bombers. Reporting by Cynthia Kim; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cynthia Kim, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Washington, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, South Korea, Pyongyang, Seoul, DPRK, U.S

☆ EXCLUSIVE Bank of Korea ready to adjust tightening pace, hopes for peak rate near 3.5%
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Cynthia Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] South Korea's new central bank governor Rhee Chang-yong speaks during his inauguration ceremony in Seoul, South Korea April 21, 2022. But he added that South Korean interest rates should not get too far below those of the United States, because of the risk of capital outflow. With the policy rate now at 3.25%, Rhee hopes it will not have to go much higher. It is the first time that the central bank governor has specified a level around which he hopes rates will peak. The Fed's policy rate is currently 3.75% to 4.00%.

☆ Bank of Korea ready to readjust tightening pace, going by data
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

SEOUL, Nov 30 (Reuters) - South Korea's central bank is ready to readjust the pace of its policy tightening to respond to an economic slowdown and a slumping property market, the bank's governor told the Reuters NEXT conference on Wednesday. But Rhee Chang-yong declined to say whether the Bank of Korea would stop raising interest rates before the U.S. Federal Reserve, though he added that it was now better able to take into account domestic factors than before. The Bank of Korea, which was among the first central banks of major economies to start raising rates in August last year, has lifted the benchmark rate by a total of 275 basis points from a record low figure of 0.5%. Reporting by Cynthia Kim, Choonsik Yoo and Jihoon Lee; Editing by Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Exclusive: South Korea's Yoon urges attention to any 'financial instability' as money market jolted
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Soyoung Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SEOUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) - South Korea's government and the central bank should pay greater attention to addressing any financial instability, President Yoon Suk-yeol told Reuters, as the money market grapples with a steep selloff amid rising interest rates and a property slump. Yoon's comments come as the BOK last week signalled that it could be nearing the end of an unprecedented streak of policy tightening in Asia’s fourth-largest economy to curb inflation. South Korea's money market, especially at the short-end of the bill curve, has experienced one of the worst routs in Asia as investors sold-off in the wake of rising interest rates and a broader property market downturn. South Korea's household debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 102.2% in the second quarter, the highest level among 35 major economies tracked by the Institute of International Finance. The BOK's monetary policy committee unanimously agreed to hike interest rates by a quarter-percentage point to 3.25% at its Nov. 24 review - taking the benchmark rate to its highest since 2012.

☆ Exclusive: South Korea's Yoon: should pay attention to any 'financial instability'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Soyoung Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) - South Korea's government and the central bank should pay greater attention to addressing any financial instability as the economy is headed for slower inflation, President Yoon Suk-yeol told Reuters. "There are increasing opinions that inflation has passed its peak and it's time to slow down the speed and reduce the breadth of the rate hikes. However we must still continue to closely monitor any possible financial instability," Yoon said during a broader interview in his office on Monday, when asked if it is time for the Bank of Korea to slow monetary tightening. Yoon's comments come as the BOK last week signalled that it could be nearing the end of an unprecedented streak of policy tightening in Asia’s fourth-largest economy to curb inflation. Writing by Cynthia Kim; Editing by Himani Sarkar & Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ German financial system under strain but property correction not seen: Bundesbank
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Cynthia Kim | Jihoon Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FRANKFURT, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Risks in the German financial system are building as the economy heads for a recession and struggles with rising interest rates and sky-high energy prices, but a correction in the housing market is not imminent, the Bundesbank said on Thursday. "The macro-financial environment has deteriorated substantially," the Bundesbank said in a Financial Stability Review. Still, the Bundesbank did not expect a significant correction in house prices, which were in the past seen 15% to 40% overvalued. "A worsening energy crisis, a sharp economic slump and abruptly rising market interest rates could put the German financial system under considerable pressure," the bank added. Extreme volatility in energy prices sharply increased the collateral requirements of central counterparties in derivatives trading but government measures cushioned the liquidity shortage and the overall supply of credit "has worked well", it said.

☆ Japan says economy picking up moderately, while govt staying vigilant to risks
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Cynthia Kim | Jihoon Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The economy is picking up moderately," the government said on Thursday, using the same description it has in every monthly report since July. The government would stay vigilant to the risks ahead, saying the global slowdown from monetary tightening could hurt Japan's economy. Tokyo also kept its view unchanged on private consumption, which accounts for more than half of Japan's economy, saying it was "picking up moderately". The report said spending on services such as restaurant dining and accommodations was recovering, although rising prices were weighing on consumer sentiment. The government left its view unchanged that capital spending was recovering thanks to solid corporate earnings, while it said exports and imports were "almost flat".

The eagerly awaited readout of the Nov. 1-2 Fed meeting showed officials were largely satisfied they could now move in smaller steps. The dollar index , which measures the greenback against six major peers, was down 0.14% at 105.75, after sliding 1% overnight. The minutes also showed an emerging debate within the Fed over the risks that rapid policy tightening could pose to economic growth and financial stability. Rising coronavirus cases have led Chinese cities to impose more curbs, increasing investor worries about the economy and putting a lid on risk appetite. The Australian dollar rose 0.25% to $0.675, while the kiwi was 0.17% higher at $0.6255.

The eagerly awaited readout of the Nov. 1-2 Fed meeting showed officials were largely satisfied they could now move in smaller steps. The dollar index , which measures the greenback against six major peers, was down 0.066% at 105.830, after sliding 1% overnight. The minutes also showed an emerging debate within the Fed over the risks that rapid policy tightening could pose to economic growth and financial stability. The Australian dollar rose 0.25% versus the greenback at $0.675, while the kiwi was 0.26% higher at $0.625. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.54% versus the greenback to 138.84 per dollar.

☆ Venezuela's anti-inflation efforts dealt blow as currency tumbles
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Cynthia Kim | Jihoon Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

For months, President Nicolas Maduro's administration has sought to fight inflation by anchoring the bolivar's exchange rate. It has increased the supply of foreign currency cash in local banks and limited the expansion of credit and public spending. The local currency has depreciated 17% since October, and 55% so far this year. Both economists said the government may be fine with letting the exchange rate slide a little more, if it allows them to spend again. The central bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Bank of Korea (BOK) raised its benchmark policy rate (KROCRT=ECI) to 3.25% on Thursday, the highest level since 2012, after delivering a half-percentage point hike in October. The BOK is in the midst of its most aggressive policy tightening on record, having been a front-runner in withdrawing pandemic-era stimulus in the region when it started raising interest rates in August 2021. Since then, it has raised rates by a total of 275 basis points, delivering bigger 50-basis-point rate hikes for the first time since the current monetary framework was introduced in 1999. The central bank aims to keep inflation at 2%. The slowdown in the tightening pace has also been facilitated by a rebound in the local currency.

☆ Japan Nov factory activity shrinks at quickest pace in 2 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Cynthia Kim | Jihoon Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Japan's manufacturing activity contracted at the fastest pace in two years in November as demand worsened due to strong inflationary pressures, a business survey showed on Thursday. The au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) slipped to a seasonally adjusted 49.4 in November from a final reading of 50.7 in the previous month. Output contracted at the quickest pace in 26 months, falling for the fifth consecutive month, the survey results showed. Activity in the services sector stagnated even as new business inflows grew for a third straight month, the data showed. The au Jibun Bank Flash Services PMI Index came in at a seasonally adjusted 50.0 in November, down from the previous month's 53.2 final, the survey showed.

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