Shinsegae Food Launches Summer Cakes Featuring Zespri Gold Kiwi Shinsegae Food announced on June 7 that it will launch two types of cakes featuring Zespri Gold Kiwi at E-Mart bakery locations nationwide for the summer season. These new products are designed in line with the recent "Season-core" trend, a term that combines "seasonal" and "core," referring to the growing consumer interest in enjoying foods and experiences that are only available during specific seasons. Gold Kiwi is popular for its rich vitamin C content, making it a favored fruit for b June 7, 2026

Jensen Huang's Visit Boosts K-Food Promotion with Chicken, Soju, and Choco Pie Jensen Huang's visit to South Korea has unexpectedly boosted the country's food and beverage industry. The actions of the CEO of NVIDIA have been widely covered by domestic and international media, leading to a natural promotion of popular Korean foods such as chicken, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and dairy products worldwide. According to industry sources, Huang dined with major South Korean business leaders, including SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and N June 7, 2026

Lee Appoints Han Seong-sook as New Prime Minister to Tackle Economic Crisis President Lee Jae-myung appointed Han Seong-sook, the Minister of SMEs and Startups, as the new Prime Minister on June 7. If confirmed through a parliamentary hearing, Han will become the second female Prime Minister in South Korea, following Han Myung-sook, who served nearly 19 years ago. Additionally, she will make history as the first Prime Minister with a background as a CEO of a major corporation, having previously led Naver, the country's largest IT company. Kang Hoon-sik, the Chief of June 7, 2026

President Lee Names Han Seung-sook as New Prime Minister President Lee Jae-myung has nominated Han Seung-sook, the current Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups, as the new Prime Minister. Han's appointment comes after she was previously recognized as a surprising choice for the role when she was first appointed as the Minister last June.Initial expectations suggested that the next Prime Minister would likely be a politician with strong leadership skills. However, President Lee's decision to select a private sector leader indicates a s June 7, 2026

Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoon-cheol Addresses Currency Volatility Concerns Koo Yoon-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, stated on June 7 that "excessive exchange rate volatility is undesirable for our economy, and we will not tolerate excessive fluctuations or one-sided trends." Koo made these remarks during an emergency market situation assessment meeting held at the Korea Federation of Banks. The meeting included Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Ok-won, and Financial Supervisory Service Chairman June 7, 2026

Countdown to Interest Rate Hike: Savings Rates Rise Near 4% Savings rates at savings banks, mutual finance institutions, and internet-only banks are on the rise. Special deposit products offering rates in the 4% range have emerged in the mutual finance sector. As the Bank of Korea signals a potential interest rate hike in the second half of the year, competition for deposits is heating up.According to the Korea Federation of Savings Banks on June 7, the average interest rate for one-year time deposits at 79 savings banks nationwide is 3.35%, up from 2.92 June 7, 2026

Will Real Estate Tax Reform Shift Focus to Long-Term Homeowners? Discussions on reforming the real estate tax system are expected to intensify following the June 3 local elections. The government is considering changes to the long-term ownership special deduction and property taxes, suggesting a shift in focus from the concept of a "single, valuable home" to one that emphasizes "long-term residency." According to the real estate industry on June 7, ahead of the Ministry of Economy and Finance's tax reform proposal set for July, discussions are underway June 7, 2026

Countdown to Interest Rate Hike: Credit Loans Surge by 1 Trillion Won in Three Days Amid Debt Investment Boom As the KOSPI index surpasses 8,000, individual investors are increasingly engaging in debt-fueled investments. Last month, credit loans across the financial sector reversed a six-month decline, and in just three business days this month, nearly 1 trillion won was added. While financial authorities are closely monitoring the market's overheating, they face a dilemma due to existing high-interest burdens and current lending regulations. According to the financial sector on June 7, the total June 7, 2026

Countdown to Interest Rate Hike: Housing Loan Rates May Exceed 8% As the Bank of Korea signals the possibility of consecutive interest rate hikes, projections indicate that mortgage rates could surpass 8% in the second half of the year. This situation is expected to increase the financial burden on borrowers who have invested in stocks or real estate using loans, commonly referred to as the "debt investment group" and "all-in group." According to financial sector data released on June 7, the mixed-rate mortgage rates from the five major banks—KB Kookmin June 7, 2026

The Future of Inclusive Finance: Designing Technology and Systems Together The South Korean stock market is drawing global attention. The KOSPI index has surged sharply since the beginning of the year, surpassing the 8,000 mark for the first time in history, with daily fluctuations reaching double the levels of previous years. While rising corporate values and increased stock investments by citizens are certainly positive developments, they also bring discomfort and anxiety. There is a sense of alienation, as if one is falling behind in a celebration that ever June 7, 2026