Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • Rain delays preparations for homegrown space rocket, but liftoff still on track
    Rain delays preparations for homegrown space rocket, but liftoff still on track SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Preparations for the launch of South Korea's homegrown Nuri rocket have been delayed due to rain, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) said Tuesday. The rocket, dubbed KSLV-II, was scheduled to be transported to the launch pad at around 7:30 a.m, ahead of its planned liftoff later this week at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. As KARI is likely to reschedule the transport later in the day while monitoring weather conditions, the liftoff tentatively set for between 12:54 a.m. and 1:14 a.m. on Thursday is expected to proceed as planned. The first civilian-led mission with Hanwha Aerospace, which participated in the rocket's production and assembly, is to put a next-generation medium-sized satellite into orbit approximately 600 km above Earth's surface to observe the planet's magnetic field and auroras. Along with the main satellite, the launch vehicle will also carry 12 smaller satellites. 2025-11-25 09:04:14
  • OPINION: Nvidia, Bitcoin and emergence of new economic order
    OPINION: Nvidia, Bitcoin and emergence of new economic order Global markets are increasingly dancing to the movements of Nvidia and Bitcoin. A surge in Nvidia’s share price now lifts trading floors from New York to Tokyo, Seoul, London and Frankfurt. When the chipmaker disappoints, the backlash ricochets across continents. Bitcoin produces similar tremors, swinging sharply on news of regulatory shifts or ETF flows. The pattern points to a deeper shift in modern capitalism: economic gravity is clustering around a small set of companies and assets rather than diffusing across sectors and national markets. Nvidia has become more than a semiconductor manufacturer; its GPUs power the AI boom and help set the tempo for data-center expansion, autonomous driving systems and cybersecurity tools. On Wall Street, analysts increasingly treat Nvidia as a barometer for the broader AI economy. Its valuation embodies the hopes — and sometimes the hype — around machine learning. This dynamic reflects the idea of “narrative economics,” popularized by Nobel laureate Robert Shiller, which holds that market stories often move prices as much as fundamentals do. Bitcoin, too, has evolved into a kind of real-time sentiment gauge for global finance. Despite its turbulence, it reacts instantly to geopolitical tensions and regulatory announcements, and in doing so has become a central reference point for risk appetite. The growing concentration of market influence in a handful of assets is not accidental. The structure of the digital economy favors early winners, and Nvidia has established itself as the essential supplier of AI hardware. The rise of passive ETFs intensifies this concentration by channeling ever-larger sums into the most successful names. Narrative-driven investing strengthens the trend. Nvidia has become shorthand for the AI story; Bitcoin represents a new monetary frontier. Both benefit from what economists call “platform lock-in,” where technologies become so widely adopted that rivals struggle to compete. The concentration creates clear vulnerabilities. Yet it also reveals a new economic architecture taking shape. The United States treats Nvidia’s ecosystem as a national security asset. Japan is leveraging global superstar stocks to revive its capital markets. South Korea, which is scrambling to secure GPU supplies, is still building governance frameworks to cope with market concentration risks. For mid-sized economies, the danger lies in sliding into technological dependence. South Korea will need to accelerate development of AI chips and data-center infrastructure if it wants to remain competitive. The gravitational pull of Nvidia and Bitcoin is not a market anomaly but a preview of the coming economic order. In this environment, strategic planning matters more than speed. South Korea will require an integrated national strategy — linking AI development, industrial policy and financial markets — to adapt to the next phase of global competition. The countries that thrive will be those that can shape, rather than simply react to, the new concentration of economic power. About the author -Former Deputy Editor of JoongAng Ilbo, Tokyo Correspondent -Former Visiting Professor at Seoul National University College of Engineering -Former Chair Professor of Technology Management at Hanyang University -Former Director of Gyeonggi Science and Technology Promotion Agency * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 08:49:59
  • Lee Soon-jae, titan of Korean acting, dies at 91
    Lee Soon-jae, titan of Korean acting, dies at 91 SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Lee Soon-jae, one of South Korea’s most distinguished and enduring actors, died early Tuesday at the age of 91, his family confirmed. With a career spanning nearly seven decades, Lee was widely regarded as the country’s oldest active actor until health issues forced him to step back last year. Born in 1934 in Hoeryong in what is now North Korea, Lee moved to Seoul at age four. His early life coincided with Korea’s liberation from Japan and the outbreak of the Korean War, events he often recalled as formative to his worldview. Lee discovered acting while studying philosophy at Seoul National University. Inspired by Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet, he debuted in 1956 with the play “Beyond the Horizon.” In 1965, he joined TBC as a contracted actor, becoming a pillar of early Korean broadcasting. His 1991–92 drama “What Is Love?” reached a record-breaking 65 percent viewership, cementing his status as a household name. Lee’s portrayal of a stern, traditional father reflected the social values of the era and left an enduring imprint on Korean TV history. Even in his late 80s, Lee remained committed to the stage. His performance in “King Lear” — delivering more than 200 minutes of dialogue — drew critical acclaim for its depth and stamina. He continued acting until October last year, when he suspended activities due to health concerns. His final major accolade came in 2022 when he became the oldest recipient of the KBS Drama Grand Prize. Lee also briefly entered politics, serving as a lawmaker after being elected in 1992 with the then-ruling Democratic Liberal Party. He later dedicated himself to nurturing future actors, serving as a distinguished professor at Gachon University’s Department of Performing Arts. Throughout his long career, Lee was celebrated not only for his performances but for his deep devotion to craft. His passing marks the end of an era for Korean performing arts. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 07:35:38
  • K-pop hitmaker Kim Hyung-seok bids to chair Korea Music Copyright Association
    K-pop hitmaker Kim Hyung-seok bids to chair Korea Music Copyright Association SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Veteran K-pop composer Kim Hyung-seok (59), the creative force behind some of Korea’s most iconic ballads, has officially announced his candidacy for the 25th chairman election of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KMC). Kim, whose three-decade career shaped the sound of Korean pop through hits for Lee Moon-sae, Jang Hye-jin, Shin Seung-hun, Kim Gun-mo, Jo Sung-mo, Park Jin-young, Kim Kwang-seok, and many more, said he decided to run after reviewing the association’s internal reports. “It’s time to show results, not just talk,” he said. His campaign centers on restoring trust in the organization and ensuring fair, transparent compensation for music creators. “I hesitated at first,” he admitted. “But after examining the financial statements and reports, I realized the situation was dire. There’s too much leakage and too many outdated systems. ” He is pitted against composer Lee Shi-ha, best known as a member of rock duo The Cross and the creator of hits such as “Don’t Cry.” Lee currently serves as a board director of the Korea Music Copyright Association and recently appeared as a witness at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit, where he addressed issues such as Chinese copyright fees, OTT royalty collection, and industry transparency and also argues for sweeping reform at the copyright body. Calling the KMC “a large organization burdened by antiquated structures,” Kim criticized inefficiencies that persist despite rising copyright collections. “The association should protect creators’ rights,” he said. “But the current system makes it hard to trust it with money.” If elected, Kim’s first priority would be commissioning external consultants to conduct an independent audit of the KMC’s finances and internal processes, with results made fully public to members. He also promised to open up major meetings through online broadcasts, mirroring government transparency practices. “The association feels like a closed room because nothing is disclosed,” he said. “We need sunlight.” Kim laid out a broad reform agenda aimed at positioning the KMC for a rapidly changing global music market. He stressed the need for updated standards in overseas copyright collection, arguing that the global success of K-pop is not reflected in the revenues actually returned to creators. To address this, he proposed establishing a Korean Music Licensing Collective to streamline foreign royalty management and help usher in what he calls a “1 trillion won collection era.” The candidate also pointed to ongoing conflicts with OTT platforms and domestic music services, arguing that revenue distribution should be tied to total sales, not simply the number of user accounts. “Fair sharing should match the actual value created,” he said. Looking ahead, Kim urged the KMC to prepare for the coming AI-driven music era. Without proactive measures, he warned, global IT platforms could end up defining how AI-generated music is managed—and monetized. “We must decide how to record and manage AI compositions,” he said. “If we delay, platforms will set the standards, and creators will pay the price.” Beyond structural reforms, Kim also emphasized the importance of creator welfare. He proposed establishing a foundation to support composers, nurture new talent, and strengthen global networks for Korean creators. “The goal is simple,” Kim said. “Creators deserve the royalties they have rightfully earned. That’s why I am running for chairman.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-25 07:29:33
  • Foreign students spike in Korea, but not helping rural and high-skilled talent shortage
    Foreign students spike in Korea, but not helping rural and high-skilled talent shortage SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - Non-Chinese students now make up the majority of foreign enrollment at Korean universities, as the number of international degree-seekers has tripled over the past decade. Foreign students also fill one in every six postgraduate seats — a striking figure for a country facing a shrinking workforce and rising demand for highly skilled talent. According to the Korea Educational Development Institute (KEDI), 179,190 international students were enrolled in degree programs at Korean universities and two-year colleges as of April, a 3.2-fold jump from 55,739 in 2015. A decade ago, Chinese students accounted for more than 60 percent of all foreign degree-seekers. This year, their share has fallen to 38 percent (68,045 students), even though their absolute numbers nearly doubled over ten years. The shift reflects an explosive rise in students from elsewhere: Vietnam ranked second with 40,865 students, followed by Uzbekistan (14,318), Nepal (12,626) and Mongolia (10,570). Vietnam alone added nearly 10,000 new students in a single year. One notable trend is the growing number of foreign students majoring in humanities, social sciences, and the arts, particularly at the doctoral level — a phenomenon widely linked to the global popularity of K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean film. But this diversification masks a critical gap: Korea still struggles to attract students in natural sciences, engineering, high-tech fields and regional manufacturing. Enrollment in these areas has grown only marginally, and the overall share has fallen over the past decade. The number of engineering students at the master's and doctoral levels increased by only around 1,000 during the same period — far too small to ease shortages in semiconductors, batteries, mobility, and industrial R&D. Vu Giang Thanh, a 26-year-old Vietnamese graduate of Seoul National University of Science and Technology, told AJP that most international students come to Korea with two main goals: experiencing a global learning environment and earning more than they could at home while studying. "Korea's cultural familiarity and relatively accessible admission policies are appealing," she said. "But most students I know aren't here to build long-term careers. They come for the experience and financial benefits — and leave after five to seven years." Regional universities face an additional challenge. They continue to receive a high proportion of non-degree students on short-term programs, limiting both local retention and the creation of a stable talent pool for regional industries. "As competition intensifies globally for skilled workers, Korea needs policies that support foreign graduate-level students at every stage — recruitment, study, employment, and settlement," said Choi Jung-yoon, senior researcher at KEDI. "Simply expanding headcounts won’t solve regional workforce shortages." She emphasized the need for a data-based policy evaluation system, with periodic goal-setting and analysis of foreign students’ characteristics and needs at each stage. Japan is a key reference point. After launching a "100,000-student plan" in the 1980s and a "300,000-student plan" in 2008, the country hit its 300,000 target early in 2019. It is now pursuing a 400,000-student plan for 2023 to 2033, shifting focus from quantity to high-quality talent positioned to contribute to economic development. A notable feature of Japan's approach is multi-ministry coordination — with education, justice, foreign affairs, labor and others jointly managing admissions, immigration, campus support, employment pathways, and long-term settlement. Regional universities, particularly in Osaka and the northeast, are also building program strengths aligned with local industries. Gunma University, for example, promotes local settlement through internships tied directly to regional economic needs. The contrast with Korea is clear: more than 60 percent of foreign students in Korea want to work in Seoul regardless of where they studied. Meanwhile, 89 of Korea's 226 municipalities — nearly 40 percent — are officially designated as depopulating regions. Korea introduced the F-2-R visa last year, allowing foreign graduates to gain residency if they work in depopulating regions. The visa offers long-term stay, family accompaniment, and fewer job restrictions. "Local governments' economic plans and industry demand must be directly tied to foreign student recruitment," said a researcher at the Korea Migration Research and Training Center. "Key industries should be matched with relevant academic departments at nearby universities. Otherwise, neither local industries nor universities can gain real momentum." 2025-11-24 17:50:32
  • KOSPI closes lower, defying broad Asian recovery led by Hong Kong gains
    KOSPI closes lower, defying broad Asian recovery led by Hong Kong gains SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - South Korean shares extended weakness on Monday, becoming the only major Asian market to finish lower. Concerns over the won’s vulnerability, persistent AI bubble narratives, and progress in Russia–Ukraine ceasefire discussions created a triple overhang that erased early gains. The benchmark KOSPI closed 0.19 percent lower at 3,846.06. The index climbed more than 1 percent in early trading but reversed course in the afternoon as selling pressure intensified. It briefly hovered in positive territory around 3:20 p.m., but slipped during the closing auction. The won also weakened further, rising 3.5 won to trade at 1,475.5 per dollar as of 4:30 p.m. Foreign investors, who initially supported morning gains, turned net sellers of 327.5 billion won ($222 million), dragging the index lower. Retail investors also sold 603 billion won, signaling weakened confidence. Institutional investors purchased 947.7 billion won, but their buying was insufficient to offset downward pressure. Market bellwethers diverged. Samsung Electronics rose 2 percent to 96,700 won, marking a rare rebound, while SK hynix slipped 0.19 percent to 520,000 won. The two major Samsung biotech affiliates also moved in opposite directions. Samsung Biologics closed 0.45 percent lower at 1,789,000 won, while Samsung Epis Holdings, newly spun off from Samsung Bioepis, plunged 28.23 percent to 438,500 won, reflecting lingering uncertainty over the carved-out entity’s standalone valuation. Defense stocks retreated following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Ukraine to sign a ceasefire agreement before Thanksgiving. LIG Nex1 fell 1.99 percent to 394,000 won, and Hanwha Systems declined 2.47 percent to 47,400 won. Reconstruction-related names, however, surged. HD Hyundai Construction Equipment, a manufacturer of excavators and heavy machinery, jumped 5.64 percent to 95,500 won. Large construction firms also posted modest gains, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction up 0.67 percent at 59,700 won and Samsung C&T rising 0.93 percent to 218,000 won. Taiwan’s TAIEX edged up 0.26 percent to 26,504.24, supported primarily by financial stocks. Cathay Financial Holding climbed 3 percent to 65.5 Taiwan dollars ($2), and Yuanta Financial Holding gained 1.1 percent to 36.05 Taiwan dollars. Semiconductor heavyweights were mixed. TSMC slipped 0.77 percent to 1,375 Taiwan dollars, while MediaTek added 0.44 percent to 1,150 Taiwan dollars. The Shanghai Composite Index was flat, inching up 0.05 percent to 3,836.77. In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged 1.9 percent to 25,695 as of 4:20 p.m., led by Chinese platform giants. Alibaba Group jumped 4.8 percent to 154.7 Hong Kong dollars ($19.9), and Tencent gained 2.1 percent to 623 Hong Kong dollars. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was closed for the Labor Thanksgiving Day substitute holiday. 2025-11-24 17:46:49
  • Fried chicken beats kimchi as Koreas global signature dish
    Fried chicken beats kimchi as Korea's global signature dish SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - Fried chicken – not kimchi – is the foreign favorite Korean food, which explains Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s choice of dining out with his Korean tycoon friends – Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics and Chung Euisun of Hyundai Motor – last month. Nearly three out of 10 foreigners, or 28.3 percent, named Korean fried chicken as the most Korean menu they had eaten over the past year, according to a poll of 11,000 respondents across 22 cities worldwide conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korean Food Promotion Institute and released on Monday. Staple cabbage dish kimchi closely trailed at 28 percent, followed by bibimbap at 19.9 percent, ramyeon at 16.6 percent, and bulgogi at 14 percent. The same menu topped first-choice preferences for Korean dishes at 14 percent — well ahead of kimchi (9.5 percent), bibimbap (8.2 percent), and bulgogi (5.8 percent). Korean fried chicken has recently drawn global attention after Huang’s chimaek (a Korean combination of fried chicken and beer) night-out at a branch of “Kkanbu Chicken” in Seoul during his trip last month for APEC week. Shares of Kyochon F&B — Korea’s only listed fried chicken franchise — jumped as much as 23.31 percent in early trading to 4,900 won ($3.32) following the news. The company posted a third-quarter operating profit of 11.3 billion won, up 47.2 percent from a year earlier, with revenue rising 6 percent to 135.2 billion won. Net profit surged 68.9 percent to 7.6 billion won. Overall satisfaction with Korean cuisine remained high, with 94.2 percent of respondents who had tried Korean food saying they were satisfied. The share of consumers willing to try Korean food again surpassed 80 percent for the first time, rising 4.5 percentage points from last year to 80.6 percent. The survey also found that Korean cultural content continues to play a major role in boosting interest in Korean cuisine. With the global success of Netflix's animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” this year, 65.1 percent of respondents said Hallyu content initially drew them to Korean food. Based on the findings, the ministry plans to strengthen regional marketing, support overseas Korean restaurants, and expand collaborations linking Korean food with cultural content and ready-to-eat products. “We will expand the designation of outstanding overseas Korean restaurants and tailor promotion strategies to local consumer trends to elevate the global standing of Korean cuisine,” said Jeong Kyung-seok, director-general for food industry policy at the ministry. 2025-11-24 17:39:58
  • Musinsa launches K-culture platform targeting global fans
    Musinsa launches K-culture platform targeting global fans SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - South Korean fashion platform Musinsa launched K-KONNECT this month, a dedicated category featuring K-pop and K-culture merchandise including fashion items, albums, and event tickets. The service, which builds on Musinsa's limited-release platform "Musinsa Drop" launched in 2023 and "Musinsa Edition" brand collaborations from 2024, aims to connect Korean culture with global fans through exclusive products and offline pop-up stores. K-KONNECT covers categories ranging from artist collaborations with fashion brands to album releases. The platform offers exclusive merchandise, photo cards and other special benefits available only through Musinsa, along with offline pop-up stores. Recent launches include BLACKPINK character fashion items and a special edition lightstick customization kit on Nov 1, with pop-up stores in five locations including Seoul and Busan running through Nov 10. Virtual boy group PLAVE's second single album "PLBBUU" released on Nov 11 through online and offline channels reached number one in popular product rankings. The offline pop-up drew long queues of fans waiting before opening. "Collaboration cases are increasing across the content industry to strengthen trendy and hype images by partnering with fashion brands, and Musinsa with its strong young customer base is attracting attention as an optimal platform," a Musinsa official said, adding the company plans to expand artist and IP-based business collaborations through K-KONNECT. 2025-11-24 17:38:57
  • BOK seen holding rates through early 2026 as won weakens and debt pressures mount
    BOK seen holding rates through early 2026 as won weakens and debt pressures mount SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea is widely expected to keep its key rate unchanged at 2.50 percent this week — and likely through the first half of 2026 — as the steep slide in the Korean won and heavy private-sector debt leave little room for further easing. The Monetary Policy Board meets Thursday for its final rate decision of the year. The base rate was cut twice in the first half, by a combined 50 basis points from 3.00 percent to 2.50 percent, and has stayed on hold since May. The pause came as housing demand reignited ahead of a hawkish incoming government, and as a frenzy for U.S. tech stocks fueled structural weakness in the won and Korean bonds, narrowing policy options for fiscal and monetary authorities. The U.S. dollar traded at 1,476 won on Monday — a level last seen during the global financial crisis in 2009 and again during the presidential impeachment in April — while Korean government bond yields hover above 3 percent. The BOK’s widening rate gap with the U.S. Federal Reserve is contributing to the pressure: the Fed’s benchmark stands at 3.75–4.00 percent, well above Korea’s 2.50 percent. A prolonged U.S. government shutdown has driven investors toward dollar assets, Treasuries, and gold, helping explain why the won continued to weaken even as $2.29 billion flowed into Korean equities. Outbound demand for dollar assets intensifies pressure Korea’s deepening appetite for overseas investments is adding another drag on the currency. According to BOK balance-of-payments data released November 6, outbound portfolio investment by Korean residents surged $11.2 billion in September, outpacing the $9.1 billion in foreign inflows to Korean securities. In short, Koreans bought more foreign assets than foreigners bought Korean ones. Institutional investors mirror the trend. As of August, the National Pension Service allocated 36.8 percent of its assets to overseas equities — nearly triple the 14.8 percent invested at home. Including bonds, overseas assets accounted for 43.9 percent of the NPS portfolio, exceeding its domestic holdings at 39.4 percent. Debt overhang limits BOK’s maneuvering room High household leverage is another constraint on policy. Korea’s household debt reached a record 2,325.8 trillion won ($1.58 trillion) at the end of June, BOK data show. The household-debt-to-net-GDP ratio climbed to 89.7 percent. Housing loans remain the bulk of the load, totaling 1,159 trillion won in the third quarter, while margin loans used for stock leverage rose to 26.85 trillion won as retail investors borrowed aggressively during this year’s KOSPI rally. “Korean outbound investment has become heavily concentrated in equities, and corporate demand for dollar conversion has fallen as exposure to U.S. assets has increased,” said Wi Jae-hyun, economist at NH Futures Research Center. Given expectations of continued won weakness, he said, the BOK has little choice but to stay on hold. Shinyoung Securities researcher Cho Yong-gu also dismissed the likelihood of easing, saying he sees no rate-cut scenario at least until May next year. 2025-11-24 17:37:33
  • Korean won nears 1,500, reshaping export gains and deepening cost pains across industries
    Korean won nears 1,500, reshaping export gains and deepening cost pains across industries SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - The Korean won’s slide toward the 1,500-per-dollar mark — a level touched only during crisis periods — is raising alarms for a trade-dependent economy where a cheaper currency now delivers diminishing benefits to exports while magnifying cost burdens for companies with massive U.S. investment plans. According to Bank for International Settlements data, Korea’s real effective exchange rate (REER) fell to 89.09 at the end of October, the lowest since August 2009. A REER below 100 signals an undervalued currency, and the index is expected to drop further for November after the dollar gained more than 3 percent over the past month. FX dynamics no longer guarantee an export lift In past cycles, a weaker won reliably boosted Korean exporters by enhancing price competitiveness against Japanese and European rivals. Today, the equation is more complicated. A disproportionately weak currency can distort costs, compress margins, and aggravate balance-sheet stress — especially for conglomerates juggling multi-billion-dollar commitments tied to the $350 billion U.S. investment package negotiated as part of the tariff deal. Economists say the latest bout of weakness reflects both global and domestic factors. “The dollar is strong everywhere, but the won has weakened more sharply than peers like the yen,” said Jang Bo-sung, research fellow at the Korea Capital Market Institute. He cited Korea’s surge in overseas equity investment and exporters’ reluctance to convert dollar-denominated proceeds as key reasons for the tight FX supply. “This looks more like a supply–demand imbalance than a structural collapse,” he said, suggesting the slide is driven more by near-term flows than a long-term depreciation trend. Chipmakers: higher dollar revenue, higher dollar costs A strong dollar carries mixed implications for semiconductor firms, which account for a quarter of Korea’s exports and derive significant revenue from the U.S. — an estimated 70 percent for SK hynix. While a stronger dollar lifts reported earnings, it also raises import costs for materials, equipment, and R&D inputs, limiting net benefits. “Semiconductors and shipbuilding are industrial goods with lower FX sensitivity than consumer products,” Jang noted. “The export boost from a weaker won is far smaller today than in the 2000s.” Adding to the strain, Korean chip, battery, and auto makers are locked into major U.S. factory builds. A strong dollar inflates the won-denominated cost of these projects: LG Energy Solution’s Arizona plant, initially estimated at $3.2 billion when the rate was 1,305 won per dollar, now faces more than 10 percent higher local-currency costs. Aviation and import-heavy sectors face direct cost shock Industries that rely heavily on dollar-denominated inputs are among the most exposed. Airlines pay for jet fuel, aircraft leases, and many maintenance contracts in dollars, meaning every notch lower in the won widens their cost base. Even with recovering passenger demand, carriers risk margin compression unless they raise fares or cut capacity — decisions that could cool travel demand. Import-dependent sectors such as petrochemicals, cement (due to coal), and start-ups conducting overseas clinical trials also face disproportionate pain, as they cannot avoid dollar-priced inputs while global demand remains weak. The old rule of FX-driven export gains is fading The traditional rule of thumb — a weaker won automatically boosts export champions — has weakened. Korea’s conglomerates increasingly produce goods in overseas factories and sell them in local currencies, while hedging more aggressively to smooth volatility. As a result, the pass-through from FX weakness to export volume has diminished, while the inflationary impact of pricier imports has intensified at home. “Exports today benefit less from FX than they used to, while import costs feed into domestic inflation much more quickly,” Jang said. A 1,500 won level is now more balance-sheet stress test than export windfall Going forward, the won’s trajectory will hinge on Korea–U.S. interest-rate differentials, foreign capital flows, and the country’s trade balance. Research from the Korea Capital Market Institute shows that the exchange-rate effect on Korea’s exports has markedly weakened since the early 2010s as manufacturers expanded offshore production and moved deeper into global value chains. A near-1,500 won level, once considered an export advantage, now functions more as a stress test for corporate balance sheets and investment plans than a simple tailwind for competitiveness. 2025-11-24 17:35:55