Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns As military tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalate and Brent crude oil prices briefly surpass $100, the U.S. Federal Reserve has decided to keep interest rates unchanged.On July 29, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to maintain the current benchmark interest rate at 3.50% to 3.75%. In the vote, 9 out of 12 members supported the decision to hold rates steady, while three members—Lorie Logan (Dallas), Neel Kashkari (Minneapolis), and Beth Hammack (Cleveland)—advocated for an incr July 30, 2026

Rivalry Among Democratic Party Leadership Candidates Intensifies Over Investigation Authority Three candidates for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea engaged in a heated debate on various controversies surrounding the abolishment of supplementary investigative authority on July 29. The factional conflict between the pro-Lee Jae-myung and pro-Jung Cheong-rae camps was also highlighted.During the MBC 100-Minute Debate, candidate Kim Min-seok stated, "If the relationship between the ruling party and the government is shaken, it can affect the country and President Lee Jae-myung July 30, 2026

Hyundai Workers Begin Partial Strikes Amid Ongoing Wage Negotiations The wage and collective bargaining negotiations at Hyundai Motor Company are likely to extend beyond the summer vacation period. The union has been escalating pressure on management through a series of partial strikes over the past nine days, but significant differences remain between the two sides. As the strike actions spread to Hyundai Group affiliates, labor disputes are intensifying across the domestic automotive industry.According to industry sources, the Hyundai union began a three-day pa July 29, 2026

Market Experiences Unprecedented Circuit Breakers Amid Investor Fear Investor sentiment was shaken as SK Hynix's earnings report failed to revive market confidence. The company's results fell short of expectations, and concerns about the semiconductor industry persisted during its conference call, leading to an unprecedented situation where both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets experienced circuit breakers for two consecutive days.On July 29, the KOSPI closed at 5,663.24, down 360.42 points (5.98%) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ started the day at 713.71, July 29, 2026

Seoul Land to Host ONF's 9th Anniversary Busking Performance Seoul Land will host a special busking performance by K-POP group ONF on August 1 to celebrate their 9th anniversary at the Earth Stage.According to Seoul Land on July 29, the event is designed to commemorate ONF's milestone with fans while allowing general visitors to enjoy the performance.The concert will feature the group's hit songs, a summer-themed stage, and tracks from their recently released second album, Part.2 'ONF SELF.'Additionally, there will be a talk segment and interactive progra July 29, 2026

President Yoon Concludes Brazil Visit and Heads to Chile to Revise FTA 이재명 대통령이 29일(현지시간) 브라질 국빈 방문을 마치고 남미 순방 두 번째 국가인 칠레로 향한다. 브라질에서 한·메르코수르 무역협정 협상 재개와 민항기·핵심광물 협력의 발판을 마련한 이 대통령은 칠레에서 발효 22년을 맞은 한·칠레 자유무역협정(FTA)의 현대화와 핵심광물 공급망 확대에 나설 것으로 예상된다. 이 대통령은 이날 오전 브라질 상파울루 과룰류스 국제공항을 출발해 칠레 수도 산티아고에 도착할 예정이다. 칠레 방문은 29일부터 30일까지 이틀간 진행된다. 이 대통령은 도착 당일 July 29, 2026

Gwangju City Council Opens 325th Extraordinary Session to Review Budget and Ordinances The Gwangju City Council is holding its 325th extraordinary session from July 28 to August 6, during which it will review and vote on a total of 10 agenda items, including a supplementary budget and various ordinances. According to the council on July 29, the session will address the first supplementary budget for 2026, a proposed change to the first fund management plan, three ordinances, one report on administrative work, and four other agenda items. On the first day of the session, July 28, t July 29, 2026

Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee Aims to Transform Daye Library into a Creative Hub for Citizens Han Dae-hee, the mayor of Gunpo City, is accelerating efforts to enhance citizen-centered cultural infrastructure with the reopening of the newly renovated Daye Library. Mayor Han expressed his intention to make Daye Library a creative hub where all citizens can gather and communicate. On July 27, he held a reopening ceremony at Daye Library, attended by city and provincial council members, local leaders, and citizens. The event included a progress report, speeches, and a ribbon-cutting c July 29, 2026

Government to Tighten Regulations on Leverage Products Amid Stock Market Decline Government to impose stricter regulations on single-stock leverage productsThe government is set to strengthen regulations on single-stock leverage products, which have been identified as a cause of the recent stock market decline. Measures will include setting individual investment limits to prevent excessive concentration of funds in specific products, as well as imposing transaction costs and mandating simulated trading to curb excessive trading activity.Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of July 29, 2026

Government to Tighten Regulations on Leverage Products Amid Stock Market Decline Government to Strengthen Regulations on Leverage Products Amid Market DeclineThe South Korean government is set to tighten regulations on single-stock leverage products, which have been identified as a contributing factor to the recent stock market decline. Measures will include setting individual investment limits to prevent excessive concentration of funds in specific products, as well as imposing transaction costs and mandating simulated trading to curb excessive trading activity.On July 29, July 29, 2026